CARLTON veteran Dale Thomas isn't thinking about the end just yet, saying he will let his form dictate a decision on retirement throughout the latter stages of his career.
Thomas, who turns 32 later this month, has been on rolling one-year deals at Ikon Park since agreeing to remove a contentious trigger in his lucrative Carlton contract in 2017.
His form has spiked since the selfless decision, with a move into the backline also reinvigorating his career and resulting in a fifth-place finish in last year's best and fairest.
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Averaging an impressing 19.2 disposals per game across half-back throughout the first half of this season, Thomas is happy to let his football continue to aid the club's decision on another potential contract extension into season 2020.
"At my age – I'm not that old, but in football terms I'm getting old and a few greys are poking through – I think it becomes about form," Thomas said.
"As long as you're playing well and contributing to the team, those questions are more easily answered. In saying that, I'm realistic that I'm a lot closer to the end than I am the start. I'm happy with how the process will play out, as it has the last couple of years.
"It will be a discussion between myself, the club, my family … whether they can be bothered putting up with my crap and being a grumpy old bugger again.
"It's something I love, playing footy. All of the stuff that detracts from it is a shame at times, but the one thing I love and that I'm still passionate about is playing the game."
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Thomas returned to the Carlton team for last week's drought-breaking victory over Brisbane, having served a club-imposed one-match suspension for drinking before a game.
The Blues veteran subsequently missed the side's demoralising loss to Essendon in round 11, which resulted in the sacking of senior coach Brendon Bolton in the aftermath.
Immediately recalled by caretaker coach David Teague last week, Thomas said he was proud of the way in which he responded to the disappointing misdemeanour.
"I understood I did the wrong thing," Thomas said.
"I put the club in a difficult position and I put the leaders in a difficult position.
"I accepted their suspension. All I could control after that was how I responded. I went back to the VFL, played some good footy and led really well down there I thought.
"I was really fortunate that 'Teaguey' gave me the call-up. Now it's about putting my best foot forward for the footy club, repaying and restoring any faith or respect that may have been lost by my indiscretion."
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