Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson says that he hopes Jarryd Roughead has not played his last AFL match.
But Clarkson stopped short of guaranteeing the champion forward a 282nd game.
"It's always tough. He's been a staple player of this footy club for 15 years," the four-time premiership coach said.
"But there's a time where everyone's form and critiquing of that form is going to be subject to whether or not they're playing their role well enough to stay in the side.
"Rough, by his own admission, (wasn't playing well). We'd had these conversations as far back as the middle of last year.
"We were looking at this year and what it meant, and understanding full well a significant part of the legacy he can leave for our footy club is preparing our club for post-Jarryd Roughead and the emergence of younger players like Conor Nash and Mitchy Lewis and these sorts of guys."
Clarkson wasn't specific about what Roughead, who had just eight disposals, one goal and no marks against Melbourne last week, had to do to win back a senior spot.
However, he admitted a number of variables would help make that decision, including whether Hawthorn is winning games and presumably still in the finals race.
"I'd be hopeful that he'll play some footy, but is that next week, is that the week after, is it never again? I don't know," Clarkson said.
"All we do know, he knows, you know, I know, that he's in the backend of his career and last week could have been his last game for the footy club, but I'd hope that's not the case, because he's still got 15 games to go.
"But whatever happens in the next 15 games, he's got a significant contribution to make to our footy club – no matter whether he plays seniors or at Box Hill. That's really all we're really searching for.
"As I said before, the real key element of this is not what's best for Jarryd Roughead or Alastair Clarkson or any of the other players – it's what's best for the club."