Swans veteran Jude Bolton makes his way out for Sydney training at the SCG. Picture: Philip Hillyard Source: TheAustralian
SYDNEY Swans veteran Jude Bolton admits his body is benefiting from spending less time in the midfield battle zone, but he isn't ready to decide whether he will return for a 16th AFL season next year.
Midfielder-forward Bolton 33, has played all 16 matches in 2013, lifting his career tally to 317.
While he said his body felt good, he stressed today he wasn't in any hurry to make a decision about whether to play on.
"We'll probably deal with it at the end of the year," Bolton said.
"If you think too far ahead you are already gone, so I'll make a decision down the track and obviously speak to the club as well."
Remarkably resilient, Bolton has played 20 or more games in 11 of the past 12 seasons and he attributed his durability to preparation.
His record is the more impressive because he has spent most of his career fearlessly flinging his less-than-massive frame into innumerable contests.
Bolton admitted spending more time playing forward than in the midfield this year had helped his body.
"You are out of the bash and crash a little bit," Bolton said.
"I certainly feel like I'm running games out pretty well, and pulling up well from the games so I guess that has helped in a big sense.
"In previous years I've probably been a bit battered by this stage and some guys can be just almost looking to get to the end of the year, which I don't want to be.
"I want to make sure I'm playing every game like it's my last."
Rotating between the midfield and forward areas, Bolton is currently Sydney's joint second-highest goalkicker in 2013 with 20.
He shares that mark with injured Adam Goodes and is four behind suspended Ben McGlynn, with those two players both out for at least two more games.
Bolton needs just four more goals to beat his highest season tally established last year. He is no stranger to negotiating his around the tall timber up forward.
"I started my career as a forward pocket," he said.
"I broke into the side as a forward pocket next to 'Plugger' (Tony Lockett) so I'm used to getting out of the forward line when there's big guys around."
Bolton rated Sydney's current midfield stocks the deepest in his time at the club, but stressed they would need to be at their best to beat Richmond's strong on-ball brigade at the SCG on Sunday.
AAP
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