Mark Taylor senses Mitchell Johnson's retirement could be imminent.
Johnson was Australia's most-expensive bowler during a stunning fightback from New Zealand in the second Test, spearheaded by Ross Taylor's 290.
Johnson finished with figures of 1-157 from 28 overs on Monday, failing to contain Taylor and NZ's freewheeling tailenders.
The spearhead's bowling and body language was a far cry from the 2013-14 Ashes, when he terrorised England and grabbed 37 wickets in a sensational second coming.
Johnson admitted in the lead-up to the WACA clash that he thought about retirement "most days".
Taylor, speaking on the Nine Network before play started on Monday, suggested the end could be nigh.
"Once you start thinking about giving the game away, it's always a worrying sign," Taylor said.
"If this is not his last Test, I think we're getting really close to seeing the last of Mitchell Johnson."
Johnson sent mixed messages last Wednesday during a media conference.
"It is probably getting to be that time. Who knows? It could be after this game; I might just go 'I'm done'," the left-armer said.
"But I am still enjoying my cricket at the moment," he quickly added.
"I'd like to get a few more wickets.
"I don't feel like I've dropped off too much; my pace is still up there and I feel confident in myself."
Taylor believed that confidence would have been tested by the ease in which Kane Williamson and Taylor scored off him.
"Days like Australia have had over ... they weigh heavily on you," the former Australian skipper said.
"You start to think - should I still be playing? I'm now 34, the body's getting a bit older. I'm getting a bit sorer; do I still really want to do it?
"That day yesterday would have really tested him."
Johnson noted in the lead-up he was still enjoying the hardest days the most.
"I like that feeling of having that soreness," he said.
"It feels like I am doing something out there and pushing my body to its limits.
"As long as I keep doing that maintenance and looking after myself after each game, then I will be right to play on."
Johnson's output in his seventh Test at the WACA has been in sharp contrast to the previous six, in which he has totalled 42 wickets at 20.19.
The left-armer dismissed Doug Bracewell on Sunday, his 311th Test scalp to surpass Brett Lee (310).
Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355) are the only Australians to have taken more Test wickets.
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