MICK Malthouse is adamant Saturday's grand final - barring another draw - will be his 664th and final match as a senior coach.

The Collingwood mentor admitted his impending end at the Magpies, to allow Nathan Buckley's promotion, was galling but denied the widespread notion he would return in 2013 after a sabbatical next year. Asked directly whether that would mean not coaching again he replied: ''Yep.''

''I didn't have any idea [when the handover was agreed in 2009] it would tie me up emotionally so much,'' he told Seven's AFL Game Day yesterday.

''I know I'm going to reach the top of the mountain and there's going to be no tomorrow in terms of that 40 years I've been involved [as a player or coach] - it's just going to stop. Not many people have had that [experience].''