Whatever Adam Goodes decides after this AFL grand final, the Sydney legend has made sure it happens on his terms.
A year after even coach John Longmire wondered how long he had left in the game, Goodes is playing well enough to encourage talk that he should put off retirement.
Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh said this week that the two-time Brownlow Medallist had more football left in him.
But if the Swans win Saturday's clash against Hawthorn, Goodes will be their first three-time premiership player.
It would be the perfect way for the 34-year-old to bow out.
Goodes had one of his best games this year when the Swans cruised past North Melbourne to make the grand final, kicking three goals and showing plenty of pace along the way.
Longmire said on Friday it was a credit to Goodes that he continues to play well.
The Swans coach was then asked if he was surprised that Goodes could still be so quick.
"If you had asked me that question this time last year, by the end of the season or even over the pre-season, I might have had some question marks as far as he'd been able to finish the season," Longmire said.
"But once he's come back in the team, he's gotten better most weeks, he's done all the training, he's been able to contribute on the ground for us.
"We're really happy he's... at this time of year and still running and enjoying his footy without any sore spots."
Goodes did not play after round 13 last year because of a knee injury and also missed the first five rounds of this season. But he has not missed a game since and reached his 350-game milestone last weekend.
He has slotted perfectly into a star-studded Swans attack led by Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
While Franklin and Tippett are the main threats, Hawthorn's defenders know they must treat Goodes and Sam Reid with respect as well.
Another factor helping the Swans veteran is his team's straightforward run to the grand final.
This is the first time since round 22 they have had to travel interstate and the minor premiers have had an eight-day break since the preliminary final.
But co-captain Kieren Jack also insisted on Friday that their smooth September so far would mean nothing on Saturday.
"It's a grand final - you get yourself up, no matter what," Jack said.
"(It's) two teams, incredible will, it's just going to be a big battle.
"An extra day's break isn't going to make a difference."
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