Veteran Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin’s decision to keep playing at the end of last year has been a fateful decision for the club.

Fremantle’s defensive stocks have been battered with injuries this year with All Australian Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson and Alex Silvagni enduring long stints on the sidelines.

The 2012 All Australian, who is in line to play his 250^th AFL game against Hawthorn on Sunday said he seriously considered hanging up the boots at the end of the 2014 season.

“I had some really honest chats at the end of last year with coaches, medical and fitness staff around whether I could physically get through another season of AFL football,” he said.

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“A lot of things pointed to that I couldn’t but I feel like I’ve made the right decision this year.

“On the back of having three of our key defenders go down, the fact I’ve stuck around has probably been handy.”

McPharlin, who was also sidelined for two rounds earlier this year, has been in solid touch, acting as the side’s general from the backline.

He is averaging nearly 16 disposals per game and almost seven marks.