FOR THE SIXTH time in his 251-game career, Brad Green booted five goals in an AFL match, in Melbourne’s defeat of Gold Coast.

He also has 15 hauls of four goals to his name.

These are impressive figures, given that he has also spent a large portion of his career on the wing or at half-back.

Perhaps what’s been most impressive at the moment is Green’s form after a trying start to the season.

On Sunday, he was again one of Melbourne’s best. He made the most of his opportunities, and again played as an undersized, leading forward.

After being removed from the captaincy, dropped for the first time in almost a decade, Green has also missed six matches this season through injury.

In two separate incidents, he missed three matches with a finger injury suffered when he returned to the VFL, and three with a groin injury.

But ever since returning in round 16 against Fremantle, Green has produced some strong form, and has been one of Melbourne’s better performers.

He has kicked 13.7 in the past four matches, including eight in the past two weeks.

Last round, Green became just the eighth player in Melbourne’s history to reach 250 matches.

He joined David Neitz (306 games, 1993-2008), Robert Flower (272 games, 1973-87), Adem Yze (271 games, 1995-2008), Jim Stynes (264 games, 1987-98), Steven Febey (258 games, 1988-2001), Brian Dixon (252 games, 1954-68) and James McDonald (251 games, 1997-2010).

On the weekend, he equalled McDonald. On Saturday, he will surpass McDonald and join Dixon on 252 matches. By season’s end, Green should have 255 matches next to his name.

Only Neitz, Flower, Yze, Stynes and Febey will have played more matches for Melbourne.

It’s a significant achievement.

Based on his current form, he is a monty to play next year.

But he’s also 31 years old and Melbourne’s oldest current listed player.

What that means is taking stock by club, coach and player.

Coach Mark Neeld has already flagged several changes to the list at the season’s end, but Green’s future will be determined in due course.

And he was also open when he spoke about Green’s future in his post-match media conference following Melbourne’s 42 point win over the Gold Coast Suns.

“Brad and I sit down each week and talk about what it looks like into the future,” Neeld said.

“We’ve still got four games to play out this year, and we’ll just keep dealing with it week by week at the moment.

“He certainly played really well and five goals is a good reward, but we’ll continue to have those chats.”

Co-captain Jack Trengove was also pleased to see Green rewarded for his efforts against the Suns.  

“Greeny is always undersized up forward and he gets the ball put on his head a lot,” he said.

“It was great to see him kick a few goals, and he’s been putting in a lot of hard work, so it’s a credit to him,” he said.

Earlier this season, Green was philosophical about his prospects of playing on in 2013.

“I’m not looking too far ahead. No doubt, my career is coming to an end and when that is - I don’t know. But no doubt, I’m closer to the end than the start,” he said in late May.

“The mind wants to keep playing, but sometimes the body can slow down on you. But as long as I keep enjoying it and the people around here want me, I’ll keep playing and do the best I can. No doubt, it’s coming to the end and that’s a bit sad, but that’s life and that’s footy.”

So, with just four matches remaining for Melbourne in 2012, Green will be a part of the team, barring any mishap.

It remains to be seen if he will continue on beyond this season.

Several factors will come into play.

If he plays on into his 14th season, expect him to contribute and push past fellow Melbourne greats in the games record. If not, he is already among the club’s top echelon.

Either way, Green has established a legacy and achieved plenty for the red and blue.