Hawthorn


AFL.com.au takes a look at our players aged 30 years or over and how they're travelling heading into 2016.

Shaun Burgoyne

The 33-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down.

Remarkably, Burgoyne did not miss a match in 2015, averaging 19 disposals per game.

On Grand Final day he notched up his 31st finals appearance, the equal second most finals played in AFL/VFL history, and he's set to play his 300th game in round five against Adelaide.

Josh Gibson

If his 2015 season is anything to go by, Gibson could play on for another couple of years at least.

A key pillar of Hawthorn's defence, he won the club's best and fairest last season, averaging eight marks and 22 disposals a game.

He played 25 of the Hawks' 26 matches in 2015 and was ranked No.1 in the League for total time spent on ground per game.

The 31-year-old is set to play his 200th AFL game in round 10 against the Lions, and is contracted until the end of this season.

Luke Hodge

The three-time premiership skipper will lead the Hawks in 2016 after once again being given the nod by coach Alastair Clarkson and the playing group.

The 31-year-old, on the advice of former assistant Adam Simpson, has dropped one kilogram in weight every year for the past three seasons to help prolong his career. And it's worked. H

odge finished fourth in the best and fairest and remained relatively injury free throughout 2015.

In fact, the five games he missed through suspension probably helped to keep his body fresh.

Hodge is entering his 15th season after signing a one-year contract extension in April last year.

Sam Mitchell

Mitchell spent 2015 playing through the midfield and across half-back, averaging 31 disposals per game, his best figures since his career began in 2002.

The 33-year-old finished third in the Peter Crimmins Medal and was also ranked No.1 in the League for total effective disposals.

Mitchell is set to notch up his 300th game in round 16 after the Hawks' bye, and while he is in the final year of his contract, he could very well play on beyond 2016.

 

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