HE MIGHT be sidelined through injury and retiring at the end of the season, but Bernie Vince is keeping his finals dream alive.

Vince, who is overcoming an AC joint injury, is hellbent on trying to return this year, particularly as he’s ahead of schedule.

“The shoulder is feeling really good and I’m running pretty well,” he said.

“It’ll be more the contact stuff, so we’ll start that mid to late next week.

“I’m a week ahead of where I thought I’d be, so I’m looking like I’ll probably have to miss five games [from when I injured it], so that’s AFL prelim weekend.

“The odds are probably against me a little bit, but I’ll be doing everything I can.”

Vince said it was “purely my decision” to retire. 

“They were fully supportive and they said ‘this decision is yours and only you know the answer to that’.”

“I just felt the timing was right and I’d rather go out with a little bit left in the tank than to try and go again, and be completely cooked before round one.

“It gives another guy an opportunity and I think I’ve been pretty lucky.”

Vince said he came to Melbourne when some “really good” people were in charge.

“Todd Viney, Josh Mahoney and Roosy (Paul Roos) coming over – I came the same year he came and wouldn’t have come if he wasn’t coaching to be honest,” he said.

“They had a really clear vision of where they wanted to get to and all clubs have that, but where we are today is exactly where they said.

“I feel like we’re in a really good position now.”

Vince said he felt privileged to have played the top level for more than a decade.

“I just mentioned to the boys that I’ll be retiring at the end of this season,” he said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky over 13 years and I’ve met some great people and had some great fun, but it’s time for me to move on.

“I just felt like the timing was right, leading into the bye weekend, this weekend. I’m doing everything I can to get back and be available.

“I understand that I’m relying on them to win a few games for that to be possible, but I’ll be doing everything I can [to get back and play in the finals].”