Michael Ennis is poised to extend his stay at Cronulla for another year as the Sharks prepare to make calls on their other senior off-contract players.

The Sharks have an option on Ennis' services for 2017, but the arrangement is informal, with the former NSW dummy half and coach Shane Flanagan agreeing to asses his form mid-season.

Ennis turned 32 this year, but has shown no signs of slowing down and is reproducing the form that earned him Dally M hooker of the year honours last season.

The Sharks sit at the top of the ladder for the first time in 16 years and some of their oldest players have been their best. Ennis, captain Paul Gallen, back-rower Luke Lewis and fellow forward Chris Heighington are all well into their 30s and are unsigned for next year.

Ennis appears certain to remain in the Shire, Gallen's position will be reviewed when he returns from State of Origin duty and Lewis wants to play on at the top level for two more years, while Heighington is weighing up his options.

Gallen has already indicated this Origin campaign will be his last and it is believed he is leaning towards one more season if the Sharks don't claim a historic maiden premiership in 2016. Deciding who to keep and for how long is a delicate balance for Flanagan and his staff, given the older brigade are still providing good service at a time when the club has so many promising youngsters on its books.

Ennis' future appears the most certain, with the parties likely to finalise an extension in the coming weeks.

"We're talking our way through it," Ennis said.

"For the modern day, it's a bit old-school. Me and Flanno almost have a handshake agreement, he's been true to his word when I came here. We said we would sit down around this time, the first bye, and talk about things. He seems happy, I'm happy, and we'll nut through that in the next week or two."

Ennis will be ready to step into a media career when his playing commitments finish after becoming a regular on Fox Sports. The former Canterbury captain will consult those close to him before deciding when to make the transition.

"I'm really enjoying my footy," Ennis said.

"For me, there are certain people I go to when I need honest information about where I'm at. Now will be the time when I have those conversations about how I'm going physically and also how much I'm contributing. If I can still do that I'll continue to do what I'm doing, if they don't think so I'll have to asses where I'm at.

"Most importantly, my wife, I'll sit down and talk with her where I'm at and where we're going. Hopefully we can sort something out. I just want to keep playing, keep it low key and go about my business."

Another former Blues forward, Lewis, will turn 33 this year. However, he has no intention of retiring and has engaged a new manager to negotiate what will likely be his final contract.

"I don't know if I'm playing here next year, but I definitely would like to be playing somewhere," Lewis said.

"I feel great, the body feels good, I've had a good pre-season. If I feel like my body isn't feeling good I won't go around again. At the moment I feel great. I'd like two more years and we'll see how it goes. I'd like it to be here, but if it's not, it's not."