SIMON Black's contract extension is imminent with Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss saying on Thursday morning the deal would be inked "soon".
Black is an unrestricted free agent but had triggers in his contract that would allow him to extend into a 16th season in 2013.
The Lions are close to finalising a one-year deal with the 2002 Brownlow medallist.
He was filming an ad for the club's 2013 members on Thursday.
"We're expecting we'll have something soon there," Voss said.
"[I'm] not sure [when]. I'll find out a little bit more today. I think it's all going fine, it's in a good space. We hope to announce what's happening there shortly."
Voss said he had been in constant communication with Black and was keen to see his former teammate get more team success before he retired.
He said Black's pre-season - which would include a trip to Arizona with 17 teammates - would be tailored to suit his ageing body.
Black is 33 and has played 314 games, but was still one of the Lions' best in his 18 appearances this year.
"For 'Blacky' it's shorter efforts and longer rest," Voss said.
"That's what his pre-season will look like. We've just got to make sure mentally and physically he's ready to go. He knows what it takes to get to the line. His pre-season will take on a modified version in terms of how much he's here.
"We've talked about his involvement pre-Christmas and how much he does. He's such a professional, you have no doubt he'll do everything he possibly can, and he can lean on some of the things he's done in the last 15 or 16 pre-seasons and bank it a little."
Something else Voss is hoping the Lions can bank is their November trip to Arizona for two weeks of altitude training.
Last year five players from the leadership group went, which has been extended to include players with five years of experience.
"A lot of our guys over there will be more of the senior guys that are ready to have something different in their pre-season and we hope that most of that group are looking for another three or four per cent here or there to get themselves to another level," he said.
"They've experienced four or five pre-seasons and are now ready to find that extra three per cent, four per cent that will make them better as footballers physically.
"The amount of games we lost 20 minutes and the opposition was able to pile on five or six goals was compelling, so we've got to find that three or four per cent."
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
