Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne has revealed he played in the finals series with broken ribs.

The 35-year-old was quiet in the Hawks' losses, which saw them out of the finals after finishing in the top four at the end of the home and away season. 

The four-time premiership star had 17 disposals against Richmond in the qualifying final and followed it with just 13 touches in last week's loss to Melbourne. 

Read: Where to for the Hawks now?

Burgoyne conceded he had been battling broken ribs since the Hawks' Round 23 win over Sydney, but said it was no explanation for his form. 

"When you step over the line you put your hand up to say you're fit and you're going to play, and that's exactly what I did," he told NITV.

"It was disappointing to hurt myself. But when you think you're right to play you try to play and you have to commit to the team. It was a little bit difficult to play but that's just an excuse."

Burgoyne admitted he had needed pain-killing injections to take the field in the Hawks' pair of defeats. 

"You still have to play well under injury. I think a lot of players are playing with some kind of concern at this end of the year," he said.

The former Port Adelaide midfielder has re-signed for next year, which will be his 18th season in the AFL since making his debut in 2002.