Hawthorn star Shaun Burgoyne says he’s not feeling the heat of selection yet, despite Alastair Clarkson showing a willingness to leave senior figures out of the side in 2019.

Clarkson sent former club captain Jarryd Roughead back to the VFL ahead of Round 8, with the coach falling short of guaranteeing the forward a return to AFL level.

But Burgoyne said it is simply a reminder that your past history doesn’t necessarily assure you a spot in the Hawks 22.

“Every year there is going to be new players coming in and vying for your spot,” Burgoyne said.

“You need competition for spots, whether you’re the oldest player on the list – that’s me – or the youngest player, you need competition.”

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Burgoyne is set to enter the top ten all-time for VFL/AFL games played when he runs out this weekend against his former side Port Adelaide. 

The 36-year-old is the oldest player in the competition in 2019.

But when probed about whether this year might be his last, Burgoyne wasn’t giving much away.

“Potentially,” Burgoyne said with a chuckle.

“But it’s been ‘potentially’ for the last six or seven years. 

“I actually don’t know when I’m going to retire to be honest.”

Old or young, Burgoyne said he believed every team in the league would be looking forward to a bye round and an opportunity to reset both physically and mentally.

“I think most teams will be looking to get to half-way mark of the season and reassess where they’re at.

“After that, then they will launch into the rest of the season.

“But that’s to worry about in two weeks’ time, we need to focus on Port Adelaide this week.”