ADELAIDE champion Scott Thompson is open to joining the ranks of veteran players being rested as he seeks to get the most out of his body in his 15th season.
Thompson turned 32 in March and played his 265th game against Melbourne on Saturday – his first for the year – collecting 30 possessions and laying 10 tackles.
Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes was rested at the weekend as the Power look to manage the veteran through what is likely to be his final season in the AFL.
Thompson insisted he hadn't thought of retirement, but conceded having a week off during the season to preserve his body could be an option.
"There's no doubt I'll have sit-downs with Phil throughout the year and talk about how I'm feeling and where the body's at from week to week," Thompson said.
"It's nice to be able to sit down with the midfield coach and the senior coach of the club and have direct conversation, know exactly where you stand [and] what you need to do from week to week to have yourself up and right to play.
"The game's definitely getting harder and harder and it's getting faster, so after a number of years in the system you can get tired at times throughout the season.
"Whether or not I do have a week off here or there, I'll play it by ear … [but retirement] doesn't enter my mind."
The two-time club champion's form certainly suggests he's still got plenty to offer.
His 30-disposal effort against the Demons was a vintage performance that included 19 contested possessions.
He was in the mix to add a third best and fairest award to his personal trophy cabinet last year before a hamstring injury disrupted the second half of his season.
Importantly for Thompson and the Crows, he said his hamstrings had made it through Saturday's tough game without issue.
Patrick Dangerfield also made it through the bruising encounter with Melbourne, and in particular his individual battle with Bernie Vince.
The superstar was hounded by his former teammate throughout the contest and although the pair joked about their battle after the game, Dangerfield wasn't smiling on Adelaide Oval.
Thompson echoed his David Mackay, saying there wasn't anything wrong with the way Vince conducted himself.
He believed Adelaide had to help Dangerfield beat any future tag but that the players' primary focus – as instructed by Walsh – was to win the football and the game.
"It's part and parcel of the game ... Paddy's a big boy," he said.
"Can we help him? Yes we can, but within the rules.
"You definitely want to fly the flag for the club, there's no doubt about that, but if you make that too much of a focus you go away from what you want to do."
