An emotional Michael Barlow has thanked Fremantle fans for their support since his departure from the Dockers and said there were 17 other teams he would continue his AFL career with - including cross-town rival West Coast.
And the hugely popular 28-year-old also dropped a massive hint about coach Ross Lyon's long-term plans for the embattled club after a disastrous 4-18 season in 2016.
"The whole football world knows the direction Fremantle is going... there's got to be some collateral [damage] along the way," Barlow told Radio 6PR's Breakfast program.
"I'm a 28-year-old who was uncontracted and probably the next one out the door regardless of form, and potential character."
Barlow said he saw the writing on the wall his Fremantle career was over after suffering a shoulder injury in round 16 and, as WAtoday reported last week, was prepared for the bad news ahead of his end-of-season meeting with Lyon yesterday.
"I didn't walk into the meeting yesterday with any hope of a contract offer," he said.
Rumours Barlow will resume his career in South Australia for Adelaide were not denied either.
"There's been some constructive approaches over the past ... little period, I'm aware of the interest, and there's some pretty strong interest, which is pleasing," he said.
"But it'd be pretty negligent of me to come out and declare any particular club, at this stage."
The midfielder, who fought back from a horror broken leg suffered in round 14 against Port Adelaide in 2010 and epitomised the new brand of tough, uncompromising football under Lyon, said he believed he was contributing enough for the club in 2016 to warrant a contract extension.
"I would have loved to have had a decision to make, and be offered a contract," he said.
"I finished eighth in the best and fairest from only half a season, so getting the news that you're the next one out the door, that's probably the hardest one to cop."
Barlow said although he knew his time was up before yesterday's official confirmation, his meeting with Lyon was the hardest thing about leaving the club.
"My respect for Ross Lyon... I get a bit emotional even when I talk about him... he's had such a big impact not just on my football, but also my life," Barlow said.
"To have to make the eye contact yesterday, and everything become official, that was the hardest thing about the whole process... just having a discussion with a man I respect so fondly.
"But at the end of the day we will always have a good relationship and he had to to what was best for his interests and the football club's interest, and we won't agree on that, but at the end of the day it is what it it is."
Barlow admitted the constant speculation about his future this year had taken its toll.
"I've never felt as confident in my future and to be honest I feel like there's a weight off my shoulders from having to toe the club line for the entire year and maintain a stoic nature to answer all the questions as well as I could about my future," he said.
"But I've never been more motivated... I'm so excited about what the future holds.
"It started this morning... I jumped out of bed, took the dog for a walk, and had a big smile on the face."
And would he consider playing for bitter rivals West Coast?
"I'd play for 17 other clubs at the moment, I've only ruled a line through one."
