ALTHOUGH he is still yet to make a firm commitment, Brownlow medallist Simon Black says he is still passionate about football and keen to play on next season.

Black, 32, is on a one-year contract, and with 289 games under his belt, his future has been a much-discussed topic this year.

The three-time premiership player and 2003 Norm Smith medallist is playing as well as ever and said despite the Lions' poor season, his enjoyment of the game continues.

Never in his decorated career has he got his hands on the football more often.

Black racked up another 30 disposals in the team's 42-point loss against Hawthorn to take him past 400 in his 15 matches this season. That's a tick under 27 touches an outing.

The 32-year-old is in his 14th season and has played 289 matches, yet his average disposal count hasnever been so high.

Not in his Brownlow Medal year of 2002, nor in the years when he was runner-up in 2007-08.

Even more remarkable is the three-time All Australian's form away from the Gabba.

Although it is thought teams (and individuals) tend to perform better in front of their home fans, that is not the case for Black this season.

In his eight away matches, he is averaging just over 30 touches, while on his home track, the average is 23.

Black was typically humble about his form.

He said he would discuss his future with coach Michael Voss towards the end of the season but had a leaning towards playing on at this stage.

"I'll make a call in the next couple of months," Black said. "I think I'd like to play on but I won't make that call definitively until later in the year.

"That's the responsible way of doing it when you're 32. We haven't had much success this year but I've still really enjoyed my time around the club, the boys, and tried to have an attitude of just enjoying it.

"I reckon at times you can take things a little bit for granted but this year I definitely haven't and feel very grateful to still be playing the sport I love at the highest level at my age, I still really value that.

"It takes longer to recover but I don't feel like I'm 32."

Black is leading an emerging and youthful Lions midfield that includes Jack Redden (20), Tom Rockliff (21), Daniel Rich (21) and James Polkinghorne (22) and said it was a challenge he was thriving on.

"You certainly do a lot more coaching and instructing and directing on and off field," Black said.

"I've been doing that in the midfield for a couple of years now but I do enjoy it. I've enjoyed seeing the progress of those boys coming on. Our midfield group has a fair way to go to be a good AFL midfield group but at the same time, I've enjoyed helping and assisting where I can, what I've learned over time."

Black said the Lions would have to improve from within, and he was keen to help the young core make its way to the top.

He said after around 50 games, players should start feeling more comfortable in the senior set-up and believed they had the ability to jump to the next level.

"Realistically, the top four sides have two or three genuine A-Graders through the midfield and that's what we need to get to, and that's where it'll come from - Redden, Rockliff, Polkinghorne and Rich - they're the ones the club is relying on to become genuine A-Graders, so it's a waiting time through their development and maturity," he said.

"Our guys like to compete, they really do, it's just part of learning what you do in certain situations at stoppages and set-ups and things that we're trying to get better at as a group.

"Competitive-wise, they really have a crack, our guys. If they can bring that to the table and be a bit smarter with how we set up, we give ourselves the best chance."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting