CHAMPION Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher appears likely to play on in 2013 into a 21st AFL season.

Fletcher will meet with coach James Hird at the end of the season to discuss his future, and barring injury, the 363-game veteran feels another year at the Bombers is in reach.

"Once you get over 30 you need to sit down at the end of the year and I'll have a good chat with 'Hirdy', but I'm pretty positive," Fletcher told AFL.com.au.

"I think I've got another one in me, but time will tell in the next four or five weeks.

"I'm pretty confident mentally and confident physically that I can go again and try to help get Essendon up the ladder and have a chance to have another crack at it."

The 37-year-old has enjoyed another excellent year in the Bombers' backline, playing 16 games.

Despite missing last week's loss to the Crows with a sore shoulder, Fletcher is likely to return this week to face North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. He said his body was "pretty good."

"I've got a few niggling things but 95 per cent of blokes would be carrying them at the moment," Fletcher said.

Hird said in April that the decision would be left entirely to Fletcher.

"There's not many people who earn the right to make the decision but he's earned that right," Hird said.

Earlier this year Fletcher took on a coaching role at the club in conjunction with his playing duties. The veteran helps defensive coach Sean Wellman throughout the week with video reviews, and has found it enjoyable to work with Essendon's young backline group.

"It's given me another little challenge," Fletcher said.

"It's given me a good look at the game not just from a defender's point of view but from a midfielder or forward's point of view. It's helped me mentally get through the year a lot better because I enjoy helping those guys out as well."

Fletcher has played 367 matches for the Bombers. If he plays the four remaining games this season, plus 22 in 2013, he would move to 389 matches - third on the all-time AFL/VFL list behind Michael Tuck and Kevin Bartlett.

This doesn't take into account any Essendon finals in either season.

Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.