Shaun Burgoyne will continue his decorated AFL career in 2019, having signed a one-year contract extension with the Hawks.

Set to celebrate his 36^th birthday in October, Burgoyne is the most experienced of the current crop of AFL players, having notched up 353 games across 17 seasons. Drafted to Port Adelaide with Pick 12 in the 2000 National Draft, the veteran star has outlasted his entire draft class. 

He spent eight seasons at Alberton, playing alongside big brother Peter, a tenure that culminated in the 2004 premiership and a 2006 All Australian guernsey.

Coinciding with Peter’s retirement at the end of 2009, Burgoyne requested a trade to Victoria and Waverley became his new home. 

Three premierships and 196 games later, the player affectionately known as ‘Silk’ is now a stalwart of the brown and gold.

Despite suffering a pair of hamstring injuries in 2018, the veteran continues to prove that age is just a number with a series of impressive performances throughout the season.

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According to GM-Football Graham Wright, the decision for the club to extend Burgoyne’s contract was unanimous.

“We’re thrilled that Shaun will be playing on in 2019,” Wright said.

“He’s been an exceptional player for our footy club for a long time, and the leadership, experience and versatility he brings to our playing group is certainly not undervalued.

“We feel he’s got a lot of quality footy left in him, and we’re excited to see what he can produce for the remainder of the season, and again in 2019.” 

Burgoyne will need to play 19 matches to overtake Adam Goodes’ record for the most AFL games ever played by an Indigenous player (372).

After just four more appearances, he will become the first Indigenous Hawk to notch up 200 games in the brown and gold.