SHAUN Burgoyne continued his outstanding start to 2014 with another brilliant performance in Friday night’s 19-point loss to Sydney.
The Hawks utility, who spent most of his time in the midfield in the absence of Sam Mitchell was the only Hawthorn player to poll votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
Burgoyne, who finished the game with 28 disposals was instrumental in Hawthorn’s comeback in the third quarter as he gathered 12 disposals in the opening 20 minutes of the term.
His clearance-winning capability and ball use was exceptional as he took the game by the scruff of the neck and helped the Hawks hit the lead heading into the final change.
Along with his 28 touches, Burgoyne finished with six clearances, five inside 50s, four tackles and a goal assist.
Burgoyne received three votes for the award from Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire.
Clarkson and Longmire agreed that Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery was best on ground, as the premiership Swan received the maximum 10 votes for his performance.
Hannebery was brilliant in the midfield and had arguably his best game for the season by picking up 40 disposals, nine inside 50s, six tackles and a goal.
Fellow Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy was the second-best player on the ground according to the coaches as he picked up eight votes for his 36 disposals and 10 clearances.
Former Hawk Lance Franklin was awarded three votes for his 21 disposals and 2.7, while Luke Parker also picked three votes.
Kieren Jack (two votes) and Jarrad McVeigh (one) were the other Swans to poll as they split their time between forward and midfield.
The votes: Sydney v Hawthorn
10 Hannebery (Syd)
8 Kennedy (Syd)
3 Burgoyne (Haw)
3 Franklin (Syd)
3 Parker (Syd)
2 K. Jack (Syd)
1 McVeigh (Syd)
Round 8 Leaderboard
45 Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
35 Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
34 Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
34 Joel Selwood (Geelong)
33 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
31 Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
31 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
29 Steve Johnson (Geelong)
27 Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
24 Matthew Priddis (West Coast)
23 Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
23 Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
23 Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
23 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
23 Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
23 Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
