Veterans may get a career lift
Shorter games in a new-look comp could have big benefits
HAWTHORN star Chad Wingard says shorter games this year and next maybe will prolong AFL careers, including that of evergreen teammate Shaun Burgoyne.
Wingard expects veterans such as Gary Ablett and Robbie Gray to also benefit should the AFL persist with 16-minute quarters plus time-on.
A by-product of the postpandemic era could be smaller lists, as clubs brace for draconian cuts to spending, but it is likely to impact project and developing players before seasoned campaigners.
At 37, Burgoyne is the oldest player in the game, but a surprise move forward could see the silken 377-game utility become only the fifth member of the esteemed 400 Club.
“If this is going to go into next year I think it's going to help a lot of the older guys,” Wingard said. “The less time on legs, for ‘Shauny’ for instance, we could play him up forward and he could be effective for another two or three years if he really wanted to.
“The same with Gary Ablett [and] Robbie Gray even, guys that are getting on [but] are still so skilful and might not have the endurance or want to keep doing the [long training and] games. If they have shorter games the careers of players could really go for longer.”
Burgoyne signed a thirdconsecutive one-year extension to stay at Hawthorn last year after rejecting a mooted multi-year deal at Gold Coast.
The South Australian and four-time premiership champion last year surpassed Adam Goodes’ mark (372) for the most games by an indigenous player.
Wingard has been training with Burgoyne, who lives nearby, three-times a week during the COVID-19 shutdown.
They combined for six goals (three each) in Hawthorn's strong season-opening win over the Brisbane Lions.
“He can do anything,” Wingard said. “Play up forward, in the midfield, or down back, he’s played every position in the game which not many people can do.
“He’s got smarts obviously and leadership, but he’s taller than what you think as well … plays like a third tall but can play small as well — a guy that’s hard to match up on.”