Bulldogs veteran Kurt Mann showed he can still match it with the younger generation when he outpaced Eels fullback Joash Papalii to collect a kick, but his future beyond 2026 remains a mystery as he ponders whether to play on.

Mann, 33, signed a one-year extension last March that expires at the end of the season, with the experienced utility declaring he’d “love” to stay at the Bulldogs.

A move to Perth seems unlikely, while plenty of other Sydney clubs would benefit from having such a versatile player who has shone at the Storm, Dragons, Knights and Bulldogs during a decorated 13-year career.

“I haven’t really looked into it too much,” Mann said.

“I’m 33 this year, so I’m sort of just playing it by ear and really focusing on how I’m playing at the moment. The rest of that will take care of itself.

“I’d love to stay at the Dogs, or if that doesn’t eventuate then I don’t know how many more years I’ve got left in me at the moment.

“I’m really enjoying playing footy at the moment and I’m still loving it. I’m still competing, so I’m still really enjoying it.”

Mann and the Bulldogs are hoping to bounce back from their shock loss to the Eels when they take on the depleted Broncos on Friday night.

But in the back of his mind is the upcoming State of Origin series after he made his debut last year and helped Queensland come back from 1-0 down to win it.

Mann came off the bench in games two and three and would love to get another opportunity to represent the Maroons.

He caught up with Queensland coach Billy Slater at Maroons camp earlier this year, with Mann a strong chance of retaining his spot in the side, especially with the new six-man benches that were introduced this year.

“He (Slater) keeps his cards pretty close to his chest until it gets pretty close to selection time, so you never hear too much from him until then,” he said.

“Any time you get the chance to pull on the Maroons jersey, you grab it with both hands.

“It’s something you dream of as a little kid and you get to represent your family, your community where you’re from, and everyone in Queensland.

“It’s a lifetime memory I’ll have now. I thought all that sort of stuff was past me at my age, and to get the call-up was definitely a dream come true.”

Originally published as ‘I don’t know how many more years I’ve got’: Kurt Mann keen to sign new Bulldogs deal