Burgoyne was Hawthorn’s spark, the player that stepped up, put the team on his back and showed them how to claw their way out of a 38-point deficit.
After having little to no impact in the first term playing in his usual spot on the half back flank, coach Alastair Clarkson moved the former Power star into the midfield.
He had an immediate impact.
In the second term, Burgoyne had 10 possessions and booted two goals to bring the Hawks back into the game.
Then, when it looked as though the Hawks were going to be pipped at the death again, up stepped Burgoyne.
He finished the match with 26 disposals and three goals - including the one that put the Hawks back in front by a point with 1:10 remaining in the final term.
His game was influential too, for the 29,018 coaches who own the Hawks utility in Dream Team. He scored 107 points and was one of two Hawks to reach the ton in Round 22.
Given the Hawks face one of the best clearance sides in the league, with the best ruck combination in the league, Clarkson could again opt to play Burgoyne in the midfield.
His ability to read the taps of opposition ruckmen will prove vital, given the power of Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox in that area.
He could prove to be that golden nugget that emerges when the whips are cracking, and your Dream Team is struggling in its grand final.
Despite averaging 72.4 over the season, he has excelled when given roles in the midfield including scores of 112 against Brisbane and 102 against Geelong in Round 2.
Round 23 spotlight
Lance Franklin ($476,300) - He finally made his long awaited return in Round 22, but he didn’t deliver the Dream Team score all coaches had hoped for. Franklin scored just 67 points despite kicking four goals in the win over Sydney. Expect him to be better for the run though, and on the bigger ground at the MCG, he will deliver.Jordan Lewis ($428,500) - Lewis has proved his worth over the course of the season, and the coaches that invested in him early wouldn’t be disappointed with his return during Dream Team finals. Scored 108 against the Swans and averaged 109 in his past three matches. What’s not to like?
Sam Mitchell ($439,900) - Uncharacteristically, Mitchell scored just 51 points against the Swans, in a match that featured plenty of tackles and hard, contested footy. It was a fickle game, with just six Hawthorn players scoring 80 or more Dream Team points. Expect him to deliver this week for the big grand final.
Top 5 Hawks in Round 22
1. Jordan Lewis ($428,500) - 108
2. Shaun Burgoyne ($305,400) - 107
3. Brad Sewell ($404,800) - 97
4. Luke Hodge ($374,300) - 87
5. Brent Guerra ($329,000) - 81
Top 5 Hawks in 2012
1. Sam Mitchell ($439,900)
2. Brendan Whitecross ($382,800)
3. Brad Sewell ($404,800)
4. Jarryd Roughead ($430,300)
5. Matt Suckling ($320,700)
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