Thaiday won't rule out playing past 2018

Jul 17, 2017 - 2:14 AM Sam Thaiday won't rule out anything come the end of his NRL contract next year - not even a star turn as an actor in season eight of Game of Thrones.

But the long-serving Brisbane forward says he'll have a long talk with his family before deciding if he will continue his rugby league career at another club in 2019.

The 32-year-old one-club player has been told by coach Wayne Bennett he will not be offered a contract extension when his current Broncos deal expires at the end of next season.

It compounds a difficult period for Thaiday, who lost his place in Queensland's State of Origin team after game one.

But a bemused Thaiday said he has not yet asked for a new contract and is unsure if he will.

"It's a bit of a funny one," he told reporters on Monday.

"I've got things in place going forward, I know what I'm doing.

"It's no surprise to me at all but I'm sure it's a surprise to a lot of fans out there.

"I've had a fantastic run and it just means I've got this year and next year to work really hard and hopefully we can do something as a team here at the Broncos."

Thaiday noted there were 15 other clubs who might want his services but admitted he didn't know if his body would let him play on.

He will turn 34 in the middle of the 2019 season.

"We'll see what happens. Funnier things have happened in rugby league," he said when asked how he would feel about playing against the Broncos.

Bennett told News Corp an off-field role at the Broncos, possibly in one of the club's Indigenous programs, would be waiting for Thaiday if he chooses to retire.

Pressed further on his plans beyond next year, Thaiday said: "I might go into acting - season eight of Game of Thrones maybe. Who knows.

"There's many, many things I can do. I've got a lot of tricks in my bag and we'll see."

SAM THAIDAY'S NRL CAREER

AGE: 32

GAMES: 269

DEBUT: Round 18, 2003 (v Canterbury)

REPRESENTATIVE CAREER: Queensland (29 caps), Australia (34 caps)

HONOURS: NRL premiership (2006), Dally M Second-Rower of the Year (2010, 2011), Ron McAuliffe Medal (2010)

Source: AAP