But he says he gave consideration to not turning up for his 13th AFL season.
"At about round 15 or round 16 I was still undecided last year. I had a sit-down with my wife, family and Rossy (Lyon). I love footy, I love competing, I love getting out there and being part of a team so I was really keen to play on last year and obviously I thought I had a pretty solid year," Hudghton said.
"Whether my career ends this year or next year it is not a decision that is being made by myself or the footy club at this stage. It’s in the back of your mind but we’re really concentrating on the time right now rather than any other time."
Even after deciding to forge on, Hudghton has still had to fight to get a game. An injury to his calf in the final week of the NAB Challenge series meant he had to come back through VFL side Sandringham and didn’t get a senior spot until round 11. Three weeks later he injured his ankle and spent another three weeks on the sidelines.
After Robert Harvey’s retirement last year, Hudghton is now the oldest player on St Kilda’s list and says he feels all of his 32 years.
"It’s been a long journey. I certainly don’t feel like I was a young pup just yesterday. I feel like an old dingo now that’s for sure," he said.
"I’m 33 in about a month and I’ve been playing a very long time. You get bashed and crashed a lot. It isn’t an easy game, it’s a more demanding game now than what it ever has been.
"It’s a maintenance thing, it’s making sure I do everything correct, massage, ice baths, little things. If I continue to do that, obviously luck plays a part in it as well."
St Kilda’s backline has been praised from all quarters this year but Hudghton, Zac Dawson, Sam Fisher and Sam Gilbert have only played in the same side twice. The 32-year-old says there is no reason why they can’t all fit in to the same team.
"I think we all can but it’s not my decision. All we can all do is perform week in, week out and hopefully we can all play our role, which I think we all can. We can all play small or tall so I think it is an advantage. None of us are really restricted to being stereotyped to one position."
