Adelaide captain Simon Goodwin's decision to retire at season's end has turned the spotlight on the future of four other ageing Crows.

Forward Brett Burton, 32, currently sidelined after more knee surgery, seems unlikely to earn another contract.

Crows stalwarts Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards, who both turn 34 in August, are considering their futures.

And utility Michael Doughty, a member of Adelaide's leadership group, will be aged 31 at the end of the season and also reaching a career flashpoint.

Goodwin, a dual premiership player and five time All-Australian, said on Tuesday he decided to retire at season's end "with very clear thinking about how I want to be perceived".

"I want to be remembered as someone who played highly competitive football to a high standard right to the end, not someone who crawled to the finishing line," the 33-year-old told Adelaide's website.

"Physically, my body feels great and mentally I still have a real thirst for the competitive aspect of the game.

"However, if I fast forward 12 months I can't guarantee this will still be the case.

"I have always wanted to finish my career while I was still performing at a good level."

Goodwin has played 268 AFL games and been Adelaide's captain since 2008.

Midfielder Nathan van Berlo is expected to replace Goodwin as skipper next year in a changing of the guard for the Crows.

Burton wants to fight on and play next year despite constant battles with knee injury, the latest when operated on again two weeks ago. He is not expected to be available for another six weeks.

McLeod, Adelaide's games record holder with 337 AFL matches, has been a superb contributor in a lousy season for the 15th placed Crows, while Edwards has held his own despite his slowing leg speed.

The Crows also have another tough call to make on gifted forward Trent Hentschel, whose career has been cut short by knee injuries.

Hentschel's inability to string together sequences of games could end Adelaide's patience with the injury plagued 27-year-old, whose has managed 71 games in his eight seasons at the club.

The Crows are currently second-last on the ladder with a 2-7 win-loss record heading into Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig paid tribute to Goodwin's legacy at the club.

"Simon has been an exceptional individual, and an exceptional player - I would suggest the greatest captain the footy club has ever had," said Craig.

"One because of the way he has achieved it and what he has come through, and also I think Simon is currently playing in the most difficult time as an AFL player because of a whole range of issues and standards.

"I think his greatest legacy is he has become such a great role model."

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