HAWTHORN midfielder Shaun Burgoyne says he can't wait to play more games in the brown and gold after making his much-awaited debut for the Hawks in Sunday's narrow win over Richmond.

After six consecutive losses, the Hawks finally returned to the winners' list with a three-point win over the Tigers at the MCG. It was Burgoyne's first game for his new club after an injury-interrupted start to the season.

“I was rapt - obviously you want to play straight away when you get to a new club," he said.

"You just want to get out there, and I was very happy to come and play my part today.”

The midfielder finished the game with 20 possessions and, more importantly, with his first win for his new club.

“I was pretty happy to come in and play my role," he said.

"Obviously at the end I was spent, but I think everyone out there was as well. My fitness will pick up in the next few weeks, and my game time will get better."

Burgoyne, who was acquired by the Hawks after the 2008 premier traded picks 9 and 16 to Port Adelaide in the off-season, conceded that he is still some way from reaching his full potential.

“I’m probably 80 per cent. Obviously the game time will build up, so I will only get better with more matches," he said.

Burgoyne played Sunday's game in a helmet after breaking his jaw in the VFL, and admitted that the headgear - rather than the first game of his 2010 season - was on his mind coming into the match.

“I was more nervous wearing the helmet than the game today,” he admitted.

“I’ll wear it for probably two weeks - the jaw is actually stronger with the plates and screws in there, so it just more of a precaution.”