Halfway through his 15th AFL season, veteran Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe says he has no idea whether there will be a 16th.
The 34-year-old is in the Magpie Dad's Army, a group of veterans headlined by Scott Pendlebury (37) and Steele Sidebottom (34).
With Collingwood top of the ladder and Howe playing 10 of their 11 games, the 262-game defender says he's going well - but is under no illusions how quickly that could change.
"For me the seasons aren't getting any shorter, they're getting longer" Howe said on Monday.
"For me it's always a physical and mental check-in, see how I'm going, and at the moment everything is in really good shape.
"I can't afford to project too far forward. As long as I'm feeling like I am at the moment, all things are probably going in the right direction.
"But I'm just worried about the Hawks on Friday."
Howe was asked whether he has spoken with Pendlebury and Sidebottom about their futures.
"They're almost entitled to write what they want to do," he said of his veteran teammates.
"I actually haven't even discussed that - me, Sidey and Pendles get on like a house on fire, us three old guys, but we don't have those discussions at all.
"Every individual is a little bit different. The seasons are so long, you're not sure how it's going to pan out.
"The discussions will keep happening. I know it's a talking point in terms of how old we are and what happens, but we'll come to a decision that we're all happy with, no doubt."
Pendlebury (a late withdrawal because of illness) and Sidebottom (managed) did not play on Saturday night as a depleted Collingwood mauled North Melbourne in the final quarter for a 45-point win.
Brayden Maynard added to their injury list with a foot injury, and Howe suspects his fellow defender will be out for "two to six" weeks.
But Lachie Schultz, captain Darcy Moore, Sidebottom and Pendlebury are all chances to return for Friday night's MCG match against Hawthorn, who badly need a win.
Bobby Hill also was a late withdrawal on Saturday because of personal reasons, and it is unclear whether he will return against the Hawks.
"Regardless of who's playing - and I know 'Fly' (coach Craig McRae) is a big advocate of it - the way we're playing doesn't shift too much," Howe said.
Billy Frampton kept North forward Nick Larkey to one goal on Saturday, and Collingwood would have been a lot further behind than nine points at halftime if not for the backman's excellent game.
"HIs influence on games at the moment, just playing on the best key forward ... it's been really important," Howe said of Frampton.
"We build off the back of what he's been able to do for us. We're certainly a better side defensively when he's playing."
