Fremantle defender Michael Johnson says he has "massive" regrets over last year's kebab shop scuffle that resulted in him being charged with assault.
And the 32-year-old is unsure whether he will extend his decorated 221-game career into 2018.
Johnson will face a court hearing on October 13 after allegedly punching a teacher early on November 13.
The veteran was allegedly angry after being filmed with his pants around his ankles while he was with friends and family inside the Leederville kebab shop.
Johnson has pleaded not guilty to assault and insists the incident didn't affect his form at the start of the season.
But he is full of regret about putting himself in a troublesome situation.
"Massive (regrets). It's a situation you don't want to be in," Johnson said on Tuesday.
"I wouldn't want any player to go through this because it's not what I do. I'm here to play football.
"The family wasn't happy at that time of the incident. It's all about sticking together to get through it.
"You don't want to be in trouble at all throughout your career. It's been a challenge but the support I've been given has been great."
Johnson was dumped from the club's leadership group shortly after the incident.
He was also axed from the leadership group in 2010 after being caught in possession of cocaine.
Johnson said he fronted up to the player group to explain the kebab shop incident after it happened.
"I knew I'm the one that got myself into trouble," Johnson said.
"So I had to stand up and show a bit of leadership and tell them why and what happened.
"We've got a really good group here and the support the guys gave me around the time - I couldn't thank them enough.
"I still see myself as a leader. I don't think anything changes."
Johnson comes out of contract at the end of the season.
The 195cm backman has been one of Fremantle's best players this season and has managed to play every game so far.
It's in stark contrast with last year, when Johnson managed just four games before being cut down by a serious knee and hamstring injury.
The 2013 All-Australian said he was unsure whether he would be offered a contract for next year.
"I know I'm getting older. I'm 33 at the end of the year," Johnson said.
"There's some really good-quality young defenders coming through at Fremantle. So if it is my time, I'm happy to move on.
"It would be great to stick around (but) I'll leave all that talk to my manager."
Fremantle (6-6) have lost three straight games to slip to 11th on the ladder.
And they'll start as rank underdogs in Sunday's clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
Johnson said Aaron Sandilands was a big chance to return from a hamstring injury against the Cats.
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