Goddard nears end of 'Dons AFL deal

Brendon Goddard is a fan of the saying that you don't walk into the future backwards.

Certainly, the star AFL midfielder has had to step carefully through a minefield of problems since joining Essendon in late 2012.

Goddard, nearly 31, is in the last year of the bumper free-agency deal that brought him to the Bombers from St Kilda.

He will captain Essendon this season while Jobe Watson and 11 other teammates serve their doping suspensions.

When Goddard moved to Essendon in late 2012, he could never imagine what was about to happen.

The following February, the supplements scandal broke.

But Goddard has consistently said he has no regrets.

"If you're going to wallow in it, you're not going to improve - it actually stalls you in a lot of ways," he said.

"I'm not really one to sit around and think what ifs and maybes and buts.

"It's more about what I can do to make the place better and make myself better.

"A cliche I use is you don't walk into the future backwards."

Goddard says he is yet to talk to the club about a new deal, but expects that will start soon.

He is realistic about his playing future.

"Physically, I feel great, but ... I've been told a number of times that it can turn pretty quick," he said.

"I'm under no illusion that it's getting any easier.

"Saying that, physically, probably my last two to three years, consistently my body has felt as good as it has in any other year.

"I'm pretty optimistic, but pretty honest about where I'm at."

Goddard also is under no illusions about Essendon, saying his priorities are to do what he can to help the club return to greatness and speed up the team's development.

"Knowing the circumstances this year and where we're at as a list and as a footy club - obviously my mentality and expectations have changed a little bit," he said.

"I seriously haven't thought about the next three to five years. I'm thinking more about the present."