Fair or Unfair: 2013 Brown's last?

Courage ... Jonathan Brown may not go around again in 2014. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown has been one of the AFL's leading centre-half forwards for more than a decade but has his time come?

Is 2013 Jonathan Brown's last season?

Being one of the most courageous players in the history of the game has taken its toll on Brown and his slow start to the season had many people thinking 2013 might be his last.

However, you should never write off a legend and Brown returned to form on Saturday night against Gold Coast Suns with five goals and the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best afield in the QClash.

There is no doubt the Lions still need his presence in the forward line but after 233 games and 551 goals how long can Brown be expected to carry to load?

The Warrnambool product has been unlucky with injury in recent seasons but if given a free run could still be a dominant power forward.

On Tuesday night's episode of AFL 360, Gerard Whately and Mark Robinson described the call for Brown to retire as "bewildering".

"It strikes me that we collectively are desperate to retire players," Whately said.

"We're desperate to retire Nick Riewoldt ... the game will be so much poorer when Nick Riewoldt calls it a day.