With decision time looming, West Coast defender Mitch Brown is caught in two minds about his AFL future.
On the one hand, Brown would love to stay at the Eagles and play a crucial role in lifting the club to a fourth AFL premiership.
But the challenge of being part of a rebuilding team like St Kilda also excites the key backman.
Playing alongside his brother Nathan at Collingwood is another dream Brown harbours, although he admits it’s a scenario that’s unlikely to eventuate any time soon.
Brown asked for a trade to St Kilda at the end of last season after struggling to break into West Coast’s side, but the Eagles refused the request.
The 24-year-old is now out of contract and free to return to his home state of Victoria if he wishes.
But after playing 13 of a possible 16 games this season, Brown is tempted to stay on at the club he has grown to love.
Another factor Brown has to take into consideration is his fiancee Shae Bolton, who plays for West Coast Fever in the Trans-Tasman netball championship.
Melbourne-born Bolton is yet to sign a new deal with the Fever, sparking speculation the couple could be on the move back home.
West Coast have endured a nightmare 2013 campaign, with a raft of injuries to key players leaving the club with only a slim chance of making this year’s finals.
But Brown is optimistic the club will be in premiership mode for a few more years to come, and said it would be hard to leave given he has finally cemented a spot in the best 22.
“I’m content. I’m enjoying my football at the moment,” Brown said on Monday.
“I’d love to play with my brother.
“It’s always been a dream. But realistically it’s probably not going to happen.
“For now, for me it’s playing AFL football and I love it here and I’m playing here. So yeah, I’m happy.”
Brown has managed just 64 senior games since being chosen with pick No.16 in the 2006 national draft, but the 194cm defender believes he is now playing his best football.