MELBOURNE veteran Jordan Lewis is keen to play for "as long as he can" as he approaches his 300-game milestone against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Lewis remains contracted until the end of the 2019 season but has come in for external criticism for his style of play and his lack of pace in the Melbourne defence at times this year.
However, the 32-year-old still believes he is playing good enough football to continue on beyond next season.
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"If I'm playing well, my body's healthy, there's still a position for me, I'll play for as long as I can," Lewis told reporters on Wednesday.
"If that isn't there then I'll retire and go on to something else."
Lewis hinted that he had been a bit miffed by the commentary surrounding him this season.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership player has averaged 23.6 disposals per game this season and added impressive leadership to an inexperienced back six.
"When you first come into the game there's always people out there that want to be the first one to see this guy's going to be a really good player,” he said.
"Then when you come to the latter part of your career, they're like this guy is going to finish up really soon.
"That's what you've got to deal with."
Coach Simon Goodwin said Lewis had had a significant influence on the young group at Melbourne, particularly in regard to the team's culture and from an experience point of view.
Lewis was sensationally traded to the Demons for a swap of late draft picks at the end of 2016 after Hawthorn decided to reposition its list.
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Goodwin has no plans to cut Lewis' career short.
"I'd love him to keep going for as long as he can," Goodwin said.
"He's still playing to a really high level. We love what he brings to our group, he's a true competitor.
"As he said, that time will be when he wants it to be. While his body is feeling good and he's playing to the level, he just rolls on."
Teammate Angus Brayshaw said Lewis' influence in teaching the young players good habits and developing them appropriately could not be underestimated.
"He's invested so totally into the club and I think the way we play and certainly when I look at my own vision (watch edits) there's little nuances that he picks up," Brayshaw said.
"He's such a critical thinker and I see his fingerprints all over what I do now and even how we play.
"I'm very appreciative of all he's done and it's a big honour to play alongside him in his 300th game."
