AFTER hanging up the boots in 2008 after winning an elusive premiership, Shane Crawford relinquished his cherished number nine guernsey, which would be passed onto a worthy candidate.

Crawford couldn’t have asked for a better player to slip seamlessly into that number than Shaun Burgoyne, who will run out for his 300th AFL game against the Crows tomorrow night.

Speaking to HawksTV, Crawford said there was some apprehension about handing the number on to the next generation.

“It’s always a bit awkward when you hand on your number – you hope that someone wears it with great pride,” he said.

“All I can say is that I’ve never been so proud watching the number nine dominate, and have a skill level like it never has before.”

After reaching the 300-game milestone himself, Crawford was able to finish his career in the perfect fashion, playing in the premiership side which toppled Geelong in 2008.

Burgoyne took on Crawford’s number when he arrived at the club at the end of 2009, and has enhanced the significance of the number nine at Hawthorn even further.
 
He has been a part of three Hawthorn premiership sides with the illustrious number nine on his back, which has previously been worn by players such as Colin Austin and Robert DiPierdomenico.