Gold Coast wants Hawthorn great Shaun Burgoyne to play for the Suns in 2020, similar to Luke Hodge at Brisbane
The Gold Coast Suns are hellbent on improving their list and they have set their sights on Hawthorn great Shaun Burgoyne to play a Luke Hodge-type role in 2020, Mark Robinson writes.
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Gold Coast has set its sights on Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne filling a Luke Hodge-type role for them next year.
The Suns’ plan is for 36-year-old Burgoyne to play in 2020 and then in 2021 if his body holds up.
As part of the package to lure the four-time premiership player north they would offer him an off-field role after he finishes playing.
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Burgoyne has not spoken to the Suns directly, but he is aware of their interest.
It is believed Burgoyne, who has played 370 games for Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, is keen to reach 400 games.
Suns list manager Craig Cameron yesterday confirmed the club was keen to recruit the silky play maker.
“We’re looking at range of options to improve our playing list and we need experienced players with good character,’’ Cameron said.
“We respect Hawthorn and we respect that Shaun is a Hawthorn player, a Hawthorn champion, but we have to improve our list and we think Shaun could be great value to our young players.
“He’s absolutely a professional and could supply great mentorship.’’
Other mature players the Suns could target include Geelong’s Harry Taylor, Melbourne’s Jordan Lewis and Hawks great Jarryd Roughead, who the Suns spoke to ahead of the 2019 season.
Roughead rejected coach Stuart Dew’s approach
The Hodge success has opened the door to creative veteran recruiting.
Hodge, 35, joined Brisbane in 2018 after a brilliant career at Hawthorn, a move Lions officials have described as critical to the club’s rebuild.
Similar to Hodge, if Burgoyne joined the Suns he would be required to play mainly across halfback.
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His ability to use the ball and his experience are seen as crucial qualities for the struggling Suns.
A potential four-year deal — two playing, two non-playing — could be enough to tempt Burgoyne and his family to continue his career at a third club.
As yet, the Hawks have not offered him a contract for next year.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has shown he is open to finding greater opportunities for his premiership stars.
Lewis was encouraged to move to Melbourne to accept a three-year deal.
Sam Mitchell to West Coast was another key departure.
Hodge’s move to the Lions first started when coach Chris Fagan, a former Hawks official, approached Hodge close to the end of the 2017 season.
There’s a small possibility Hodge could play in 2020, but it’s likely he will accept a role at the club as well as doing media.
Burgoyne’s off-field prospects could include a role within the Suns football department or with the club’s expanding academy.
This week, the club has indigenous teenagers from northern Queensland, who are not yet draft age, boarding with host families.
Originally published as Gold Coast wants Hawthorn great Shaun Burgoyne to play for the Suns in 2020, similar to Luke Hodge at Brisbane
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