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Fraser could play on

Fraser could play on

01/13/2012 05:10:26 AM

Veteran Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser could play on beyond the 2012 season.

The former Collingwood big man, who was an integral part of the expansion club's inaugural AFL season in 2011, said there was no guarantee that he would retire at the end of this year.

Fraser, 30, comes off-contract at the conclusion of this season but said he has not even begun contemplating his future, leaving the door open for an extension.

"My first thought is to get myself up for Monday at this stage and train well," he said.

"I'm absolutely not even thinking about it. Even if I get through the year, feel good and have a good season I still have a decision to make and that's a conversation I'll have with Bluey (coach Guy McKenna)."

"It's certainly not in my thinking at this stage."

The ruckman said his body was holding up well during a grueling pre-season training schedule, which included a trip to Arizona at the end of last year.

"I had a couple of minor hiccups at the end of last season but it was probably the best I've got through a football season for a couple of years," Fraser said.

"I'm looking forward to this year, at the moment I feel pretty good."

If Fraser does decide to hang up the boots after the 2012 season, the Suns will at least be in a good place in terms of tall prospects on their list.

The club's ruck division features some promising young names, including Zac Smith, Dan Gorringe, Tom Nicholls and Tom Hickey.

"When I retire, I'm going to enjoy sitting back and watching them," he said.

"They've all improved. Dan is naturally gifted in terms of what he can do so he's just got to get some games under his belt and continue to develop that way."

"Tom Nicholls is another guy who's got a lot of natural ability so he needs to do the same and Tommy Hickey is as fit as he's been. There's some really good signs with those young talls."

"I don't think there's too many guys on the list that you couldn't look at and say they've improved in an area or two."

"The older guys are out on the track as well, and they aren't carrying niggles. All-in-all, we're in pretty good shape and we've made some massive inroads on last year."

But Fraser said he was not fearful of having his position in McKenna's first-choice team usurped by one of Gold Coast's up-and-comers.

The ex-Magpie also showed versatility when deployed up forward last year, giving the Suns coach plenty of flexibility at the selection table.

"I don't see it as a pecking order at this stage," Fraser said.

"It's basically (a case of) I'll be used where I'm needed more. If Smithy's holding up the ruck that gives me the luxury to go forward. If he's struggling, it gives me the opportunity to go in there."

"Most people thought I'd come out here and play predominantly in the ruck, but we needed a key forward and I ended up playing a lot more there, more than I thought I would."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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