A performance - based clause in his contract earned him the right to continue , but deteriorating form meant he was no longer able to command a position in the Cats ' best side .
Bartel had been mulling whether to play on in 2017 .
A performance - based clause in Bartel 's contract earned him the right to continue , but deteriorating form meant he was no longer able to command a position in the Cats ' best side .
Bartel had been mulling whether to play on in 2017 .