AS DUSTIN Fletcher prepares to play his 350th AFL game against Gold Coast on Saturday night, the champion Essendon defender has all but ruled out a tilt at being only the third player to reach the 400-game milestone.

Fletcher, the oldest player in the competition, will equal former Footscray and Fitzroy star Doug Hawkins in 11th position on the all-time games record list in VFL/AFL football when he runs out against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.

But the 36-year-old says it's unlikely he'll follow Hawthorn's Michael Tuck (426 games) and Richmond's Kevin Bartlett (403) to even more rarified air.

"I can nearly say 400 is out of the question," Fletcher said.

"Once you get over 30 these days you just look at it year-by-year and game-by-game. The guys above me [in the games tally] have been some pretty good players and I'm lucky to get to 350."

Fletcher said thought of playing on beyond 2012 - his 20th AFL season - was not something that occupied his mind. He said his thinking was on this season and playing his part in helping the club to a successful season.

Fletcher's remarkable durability has come, coach James Hird said, from being the "ultimate professional": from knowing when to train, when to train hard, and when to ease off.

He's managed to keep his pace and anticipation, and remains as integral to Essendon's team now as he was in 1993 as a premiership full-back in his first year, and in 2000 when he won the best and fairest in his second premiership season.

But Fletcher said the main reason behind his lengthy football lifespan was simple: he enjoyed it. He liked dropping off his kids at their nearby school every morning, settling into Windy Hill and spending time with a group of teammates that, through football's cycles, change and refresh each year. 

"I'm still enjoying it and I think that's been the key to playing so long," he said.

It seems to be one of three major factors that will decide whether he plays on in 2013 - and becomes the first player in history to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a premiership and still be playing.

There's the enjoyment, his body fitness and whether he's contributing to the team.

"You've still got to be feeling well in your body. If your body's not doing the job then you definitely won't play," he said.

"But I think even mentally you have to be pretty switched on and enjoying the game to play on.

"And you've got to be doing your bit for the team. If ever there's that thought that you're not doing your bit and pulling your weight, then you don’t get a game just for the fun of it."

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

Dustin Fletcher is a $294,900 defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Click here to register your team.