Central District co-captain Matthew Slade has all but confirmed he will stretch his stint at the club another year. Speaking at yesterday's grand final media function at AAMI Stadium, the veteran said the attitude of fellow senior Bulldogs was fuelling his desire to play in 2009.

Slade, who will chase a seventh premiership medal when the Bulldogs clash with Glenelg in the decider at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, had seriously questioned his career beyond this season.

"The Gowans (Chris and James) have been saying they will probably go ahead," Slade said. "It is good to know there are other senior blokes around the place and that is sort of enticing me to go ahead.

"I've been noticing the last couple of years that the gap between me and a lot of blokes is getting bigger."

Slade was frustrated with a few niggling injuries this year which prevented him from moving as freely as previous seasons.

He admits there were days when the season became a grind and he was swaying more towards ending his time with the Bulldogs.

Now, with the challenge and enjoyment of finals action as well as the body feeling the best it has all season, Slade is expected to turn up for pre-season training.

"A few of the older boys were feeling the same," he said. "The body does not pull up as quickly and as well as it used to.

"It seemed like the season became a bit of a grind at stages. Certainly it is not like that at this time of the year but throughout the year it felt a longer season.

"I'll probably get into the start of next season and go 'what have I done?'

"But after that first final and same again, I spoke to the Gowans, it sort of inspired us to play footy again." 

Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by  Warren Partland

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