Such has been the nature of Dan Fish's career, the question of whether this is really it begs more than one utterance.
Cardiff's very own cult hero was always a fan favourite, but in recent years the narrative surrounding the man from Tremorfa has grown from merely being the player who would never let the blue and black jersey down to the one who would always answer the call.
His boots had only been hung up a week when he answered an SOS call to feature against the Dragons in October 2021. Then there was another comeback against Toulouse and Harlequins in Europe when many of Cardiff's senior players were stuck in a quarantine hell a matter of weeks later.
As much as he tried, Fish just couldn't seem to retire from professional rugby. So now, as he finishes up with the semi-professional game, you can't help but ask once again, is this really it?
READ MORE: Principality Stadium roof walk plan shelved as WRU divert CVC money to pro game
After all, Cardiff don't currently have a fly-half contracted for next season. Maybe there's one last comeback in the pipeline?
"I did jokingly say to the boys at the presentation last week that if they haven't got enough money for Jarrod Evans and they haven't got enough money for Rhys Priestland, then they definitely can't afford me!" Fish tells WalesOnline.
So, barring the odd appearance in National League 3 East Central next season, this is indeed it. Unfortunately, it won't end in the way Fish would have dreamt of, with a broken bone in his hand ruling him out of Cardiff RFC's Premiership final this weekend.
"Obviously it's not the best way to finish, breaking my wrist against Merthyr," he added. "But as far semi-professional rugby goes, that's me done.
"There's one more thing I need to do and that's have a game back at St Albans rugby club where it started. That's where my brother and all my friends are. There's a big association with my family. It would be good to pick up a game or two there next season so I can start and finish in the same place.
"I've had a great career with Cardiff. I'm grateful for the opportunities and I'm thankful for everything they've done for me."
Even with the broken hand, there has been the odd tongue-in-cheek comment by Cardiff supporters that Fish would only need one working hand to still pull the strings against Llandovery this weekend. By and large, that sums up his relationship with the Arms Park faithful.
His fondest memories with the club are not necessarily the big moments on the pitch, but those which meant the most to him and the club. His debut and his 100th game against Uruguay are some which spring to mind, as do those matches against Toulouse and Harlequins in Europe.
"We had the misfits team with some semi-pro players and we played the French champions and English champions back-to-back," he added. "I've probably never enjoyed professional rugby quite as much as those two weeks. The pressure was off and no one expected much. The crowd got behind us at the Arms Park and then followed us up to Harlequins the following week."
Being only the second player to make a century of appearances in blue and black for both the professional and semi-professional outfits, Fish has developed something of a cult following over the years. It is a bond which he cherishes deeply.
"It's massive for me," he said. "Being a boy from Cardiff, right in the middle of Tremorfa, the support I've had from fans and the club has been fantastic. I'll never be able to thank them enough.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play for Cardiff. To play the one game was massive. Then I was fortunate to play 100 games for Cardiff and 100 games for Cardiff RFC. The fans have taken to me, with the whole 'feed the Fish' chant. I'm not one for social media, but I do appreciate all the support.
"Hopefully they'll invest that support to the next generation. It's a difficult time in Welsh rugby, but their support is massive for us. Hopefully they can keep that going and maybe find the next Dan Fish coming through the academy.
"Being brutally honest, I never had the chance to go anywhere else. Cardiff was where I wanted to be anyway and they backed me through injuries and stuff like that. I always wanted to give back to them.. Hopefully they saw the commitment I gave back to them. The crowd always seemed to see how much I was trying.
"Getting 100 games for Cardiff Rugby was massive, but I didn't realise where I was with the RFC. I didn't even look where I was when I started as player/coach. But the more and more I played, the more and more I enjoyed it. Some people might say like a fine wine, you get better with age!
"It just crept up on me this season that I was approaching 100 games. Once I realised that, it was a driving force to reach it. Unfortunately, it's 102 and out because I missed the semi-final last weekend and now the final this weekend."
Having won the league with the Rags last year, Fish would have been desperate to complete a league and cup double this time around, only for injury to deny him a playing role in the final couple of matches. However, the coaching part of his player/coach role is still applicable as he prepares his team-mates for a push at silverware.
And, moving forward, it is coaching which Fish is going to throw himself into. At the weekend, Shane Williams said Fish would bleed blue and black if you cut him open. That much is apparent when you hear talk about his ambitions beyond playing.
"It's the right time for me to fully step away from playing and really concentrate on my next career path," he said. "I think that could take me forward for the foreseeable future. I really enjoyed playing for Cardiff, but my attention is now on the next generation. I'm always going to support Cardiff. I'm a Cardiff boy and I want to see them do well. It's about making others' dreams in blue and black come true. That'll put a smile on my face."
Certainly, the trials and tribulations of a career which was hit by more than a few injuries will stand him in good stead on that front. He knows the challenges of rugby and is ready to guide others through it.
"Coaching the next generation of kids coming through the Cardiff pathway, there's a lot of talent there and we keep developing it," he said. "But rugby never goes in a straight line and there are always ups and downs.
"Hopefully with the ups and downs I've had, I can help these boys when they're in that dark place with injuries or non-selection. I can guide them and keep them switched on and engaged. Nothing ever goes in a straight line.
"Some boys will get further ahead than others, but they'll catch up. It's peaks and troughs so it's just working out how I can help them. I'll get my joy through the next generation of Cardiff boys coming through our academy system. Dan Fish the player is done and dusted now so I want to start as Dan Fish the coach."
Maybe, just maybe, he will uncover the next Dan Fish. The Arms Park faithful will certainly hope so.
READ NEXT:
Warren Gatland's biggest Wales problems and how he'll try to fix them next week
Rugby player banned for five years after assault on ref who didn't even realise it had happened
The best players in world rugby switching countries at the Rugby World Cup
