Veteran St Kilda defender Sam Fisher wasn't one of four players delisted by the AFL club on Wednesday but his playing future remains uncertain.
Just hours after announcing Luke Delaney, Tom Curren, Josh Saunders and Brenton Payne wouldn't be offered new contracts, the Saints revealed they had "agreed to keep the veteran defender's playing future open".
The 34-year-old has played 228 games since debuting in 2004 but injuries restricted him to just 12 this season.
He wants to continue but must wait until after the trade period to learn his fate.
"Ongoing conversations with Sam and his management have been transparent and productive," Saints chief operating officer Ameet Bains said via a statement on Wednesday night.
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"Sam has expressed his initial desire to play on in 2017 if this fits into the club's list management strategy.
"At this stage, both parties will continue discussions ahead of the upcoming trade period, after which we will be in a better position to make a more informed decision about the future."
The club will regain tall defenders Hugh Goddard from injury and Essendon recruit Jake Carlisle from a doping suspension next season - another key defender arriving via the trade period could bring an end to Fisher's career.
