Sydney Swans great Michael O'Loughlin believes Jude Bolton still has too much to offer not to play on in 2013.
Bolton, who has played more than 300 games for the Swans, has yet to decide whether he will play next season.
The 32-year-old injured his knee late in the regular season before returning earlier than expected as he defied the pain to play a leading role in the club's surge to the premiership.
While Bolton has already achieved everything in the game and will turn 33 before the new season starts, O'Loughlin gets the feeling the veteran midfielder will continue.
"I haven't spoken to Jude, he's on holidays at the moment, but my gut feel is that he'll play purely because the year that he had was an extraordinary one," O'Loughlin said on the Swans website.
"He obviously had that hiccup with that injury, but he was able to come back in the finals and be really significant.
"I thought he was fantastic against Collingwood in the prelim final at Homebush. He really set the standard with his hardness.
"The way he goes about his footy is first class and it's always been first class, so I don't see any reason why he won't continue to play."
Bolton has already hinted he is keen to play on and believes the Swans have the ability to push for back-to-back premierships.
The Swans have kept a spot open on their roster for Bolton, only adding to the probability he will continue on into a 15th season in the AFL.
"We all know what Jude's like, he's one of the toughest guys to ever play the game," O'Loughlin said.
"If he can stay fresh in his mind and the body is holding up OK with a bit of rest over these couple of months, he'll be fantastic again I think for them."
Bolton is currently on holiday but will speak with his management, family and the club on his return to finalise his future.
"Once you get the taste for (winning a premiership), it's a pretty addictive feeling," Bolton said.
"We just have to work it out and I still want to be able to contribute week-in, week-out and I think my body is in good enough shape to do that."
Bolton (301) is one of three Swans, along with O'Loughlin (303) and co-captain Adam Goodes (319), to have played more than 300 times for the club.