Burgoyne to play into 18th season

HAWTHORN premiership star Shaun Burgoyne will extend his decorated career next season after he signed a new deal.

Burgoyne, who will turn 35 before the start of next season, maintained a high level of performance this year and will enter his 18th season having played 105 consecutive games.

“I was happy to get through the year and play some good footy,” Burgoyne said. “We’ve come to an agreement and I’ll go around for season number 18, which is a lot of years.”

The four-time premiership star – three with Hawthorn and one with Port Adelaide – has played 341 AFL games, which places him second on the alltime list of games played by an indigenous player behind Sydney champion Adam Goodes. Burgoyne, picked 12th overall at the 2000 national draft by Port, crossed to Hawthorn at the end of the 2009 season and won’t play finals for the first time since changing clubs.

“It’s definitely interesting ... I’m not used to it,” he said after the Hawks finished the season in 12th spot. “It definitely hurts not playing (finals) ... it burns.

“Hopefully it lights a fire in the other guys as well.”