“Adam Goodes’ stem-cell treatment likely to prolong his record career with Sydney Swans

Swans medico Dr Nathan Gibbs has revealed Goodes had the procedure on his right knee in January and has asked to do the process again in coming weeks.

It is the strongest indication yet the 351-game veteran will play on next year after Saturday’s 21.11 (137) to 11.8 (74) Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.

“He wants to do it again,” Dr Gibbs said.

“It’s saved his career. He would have retired a year ago.”

Immediately after the Swans’ shock loss to Hawthorn, Goodes said he would take his time before making a decision on his playing future.

The Swans have said the call was Goodes’ to make on whether he plays on. He was far from the worst player in Sydney’s 63-point hammering — kicking two goals, taking seven marks and generating six inside 50s, which was the equal best of any player.

The 34-year-old has not missed a game since returning from what looked like a career-ending knee injury in Round 13 last year against Port Adelaide.

“He hurt his right knee in the grand final 2012 which damaged joint surface, then he damaged the cartilage in the same knee against Port last year,” Gibbs said.

“It was terrible because it was the last thing he needed. The surface damage of his knee was extensive, the medial and lateral sides were pretty bad and he just couldn’t recover from it.

“He would build up his training and then break down, build it up and break down again and he kept doing that.”“