Magpies land in high-altitude nest >> A chance to grow as players and people: Malthouse >> Learning to understand a very different land >>Veteran defender Shane Wakelin said the decision of former vice-captain James Clement to retire impacted significantly on his decision to play on in 2008.
Speaking from the club's temporary training base at North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday, Wakelin said he grappled with the idea of hanging up the boots at various stages in 2007, but ultimately his fine finish to the season and the departure of Clement made his mind up.
"It's incredibly hard to give up," Wakelin, who played 17 games including the three finals in 2007, told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"I still love the opportunity of working with a lot of the young kids coming into the group, but most importantly I still feel I've got a significant amount to offer the group.
"The way I finished last season, I probably would've felt a little bit empty if I'd retired then.
"Things fell my way, obviously Jimmy (Clement) had other things in his life that he wanted to move on to, and other priorities that he wanted to focus on.
"At the end of the day that was probably the most significant decision, if he hadn't retired I probably wouldn't be playing on this year.
"I was ready for it (retirement) to happen in October, I was ready to walk away, although it's funny, subconsciously I was probably preparing for it, but not during the season, I'm not sure if you can understand that or not."
While his 232-game career is set to continue, Wakelin, who will turn 34 in August, prides himself on having set up post-football opportunities to ensure a smooth transition when football finishes.
"I've been blessed that I've had the opportunity to play for 15 years, and if my body would allow me I'd play for another 15 years.
"I've always loved that balance, with footy. I've always studied, so I've tried to make the transition as easy for myself, mentally, as I could, and obviously for my family as well, so from that point of view I've been planning that for the last two years.
"But, I'm really excited about the next phase of my career, I've got quite a few things happening, there are some great opportunities there that I look forward to.
"I'm really passionate about getting involved with a few environmental initiatives that I've had the opportunity to take a role in over the last six months I suppose, and I'd like to continue on to do that stuff. I'd like to continue an affiliation with a few initiatives we've set up with the club over the last few months, as well as the investment banking I've been involved in.
"I'll definitely miss footy when it's over, but you just find other ways to fill that void, and hopefully I'll find something that will fill that void of competition, and the highs and lows of competing week in, week out."
2008 will be Wakelin's 15th season at AFL level, having played 138 games for Collingwood since coming to the club in 2000 after six seasons with St Kilda.
