Hawthorn great Luke Hodge remains “confused as ever” about where his former side is at following Shaun Burgoyne’s one-year contract extension.
The Hawks announced Burgoyne would play on for a 20th and final season in 2021 before retiring to take on an off-field role.
The club is on the cusp of rebuilding after a season which sees them sit in 16th place with just four wins and Hodge said while he was personally happy for Burgyone, he was unsure why the club would prioritise an older player over youth.
“I’m absolutely rapt (for Shaun Burgoyne after the contract extension),” he said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“As far as Hawthorn for where they’re going and where they’re aiming, I’m confused as ever.
“I thought the writing was on the wall a few weeks ago when they said they weren’t going to get rid of their first draft pick, they started to play a lot of younger guys to get them ready and I thought they were well positioned.
“For Burgoyne, I think it’s great but (coach Alastair Clarkson) has always been about ‘who’s going to be in our next premiership team’ and I don’t know if Clarko loves Shaun enough that he’s overpowered (football boss) Graham Wright or he’s confused where they’re going … I don’t know.
“It’s interesting now what they’re going to do with (Paul) Puopolo, (James) Frawley and the other guys in their 30s who are playing OK footy as well.
“It’s great for Shaun (Burgoyne) but I’m just a little bit confused now about where Hawthorn are heading now with their list.”
Burgoyne, 37, has played 387 games and remains on the cusp of becoming the fifth player in AFL/VFL history to notch up 400 games.
Hawthorn will take on Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon before concluding the season at the same venue a week later against Gold Coast.