The Hawks fell agonisingly short in the 2012 AFL Grand Final, but with the improvement of youngsters such as Brendan Whitecross, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston, Burgoyne believes the Hawks have what it takes to feature strongly at the pointy end of the season again, in 2013.
“As a team, we came a long way this year after a rocky start,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“To make a Grand Final is a very good achievement but the next step obviously is to win one.”
The 30 year old has just signed a new deal with the Club, extending his stay at the Hawks to a fourth season.
He crossed from the Power to the Hawks at the end of the 2009 season, and while admitting the move was a tough one, the reponse and acceptance he received from the Club and its supporters has enabled him feel at home in brown and gold.
“The move to Melbourne and getting to the know the new team and structures, the coaching group and a whole group of supporters getting to know me as well (was the toughest point),” he said.
“That was a couple of years ago now, but since then it has been smooth sailing.
“The fans have been really accepting of me since I’ve been here and the playing group have been really supportive since I’ve come over.
“We’ve got a great group here with a lot of young players coming through so the future looks very bright.”
Despite an injury interrupted beginning to his new life as a Hawk in 2010, Burgoyne says his body is feeling as good as ever and can’t wait to begin pre-season in late November.
Even an ankle injury sustained in the Grand Final loss won’t hold him back as he prepares for another tilt at a second flag.
“I hurt my ankle in the Grand Final and I’m going in for a bit of a clean out in the ankle but apart from that the body has been pretty good,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to starting pre-season and really hitting the ground running for next year.”
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2013 fixture
