Simon Black denies rumours he has retired and will join Sydney Swans as a coach

SIMON Black has given the strongest indication yet that he wants to continue his glittering AFL career into a 17th season in 2014.

Simon Black says he has not made a final decision about 2014. Picture: Peter Wallis

SIMON Black has given the strongest indication yet that he wants to continue his glittering AFL career into a 17th season in 2014.

But the Brisbane great is agonising over whether his battle-scarred body will be able to go the distance.

The triple premiership star, Brownlow medallist, Norm Smith medallist and Brisbane games record holder is still wrestling with his future as the deadline for a decision looms in the next week.

He dismissed speculation linking him to a coaching position with the Sydney Swans although the 2012 premiers are one of a handful of clubs to approach the midfield marvel about life after football.

Black said he was still deciding if he could mange one last hurrah as a player.

“I still feel really excited about footy. As excited as I've ever been,” Black told The Courier-Mail.

“I'd love to play on because you are a long time retired.

“I didn't play a lot of games this year so there’s no doubt that has an impact mentally. I still feel pretty fresh. The mind is willing but I just have to weigh up how my body will go.”

Black will talk to new senior coach Justin Leppitsch in the coming days to discuss next year.

The 34-year-old said doctors were “reasonably happy” with the results of recent knee and groin surgery and he understood he needed to make a call in the next week to help Brisbane make decisions about their 2014 playing list.

“They found a bit going on in one knee but it wasn't too bad. It's just a matter of whether or not they will hold up,” Black said.

“The club needs to know what I'm doing soon, which is fair enough. I have to make up my mind in the next week or so.”

News of Jonathan Brown re-signing for one more campaign has buoyed Black, who would love to join his long-time teammate.

“It's great news for the club and for big Jonathan as well. Hopefully he can have an injury free year and go out with a bang if it ends up being his last year,” he said.