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AAP
AAP
Oliver Caffrey

This is 40: Collingwood's Mr Durable wants long career

Collingwood's "Mr Durable" Jack Crisp has no intention of retiring any time soon. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

The AFL's most durable player, Jack Crisp, believes he could play until he's 40.

Preparing to play his 250th game, the Collingwood premiership star has set the standard for how to look after his body.

Sunday's season-opening match against GWS will be Crisp's 238th consecutive game, a streak that dates back to round 18 in 2014 when he still played for the Brisbane Lions.

The 31-year-old is just six games away from matching Melbourne legend Jim Stynes' all-time VFL/AFL record of 244 consecutive matches.

Crisp's passion for football is as strong as ever, believing he could continue playing deep into his 30s.

"I've been saying the last couple of years, I could probably play for 10 years, but now I'm 31, turning 32 this year," Crisp said on Wednesday. 

Collingwood's Jack Crisp
Collingwood's Jack Crisp gets a handball away in a pre-season match simulation against the Lions. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

"I'd like to say 10 more years, but maybe eight. Get to 40, that'd be great.

"I know I feel good in my body, and I'll give myself the best chance to do that."

Crisp is as diligent and dedicated to his preparation and recovery as they come.

He works hard outside of the club, making sure he has extra massage treatments, and engages in cryotherapy, ice baths, saunas and Pilates. 

The classy left-footer tries to get as much sleep as possible, which is not always easy with three young children at home.

"I had a few years where I probably didn't touch a weight, I did Pilates instead," Crisp said.

"I just find different things to try and get my body to rest and then recover and go again."

Arriving at Collingwood in 2015, Crisp had the ultimate role model in Scott Pendlebury to look up to.

Scott Pendlebury (left) and Jack Crisp (right)
Veterans Scott Pendlebury (left) and Jack Crisp (right) team up to tackle St Kilda's Jack Higgins. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

"I've definitely taken a leaf out of his book," Crisp said.

"I remember when he lived in Port Melbourne, early days, and he was coming in during the middle of the night to do ice baths here. 

"I definitely wasn't doing that. 

"But all the recovery stuff, a little bit of diet, (there's) a lot of work you do outside the club to make sure your body's cherry ripe."

Crisp was flanked by his best mates, Brody Mihocek and Will Hoskin-Elliott, for his milestone press conference.

Mihocek held a mug with Crisp's face on it for the duration, while Hoskin-Elliott sported a badge on his chest of his friend.

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