Shaun Burgoyne reveals he battled with serious ankle injury in 2012 Grand Final

HAWTHORN superstar Shaun Burgoyne has revealed the pain he went through to play in the 2012 Grand Final, needing multiple injections in his ankle that took a turn for the worse after the game.

Shaun Burgoyne needed injections in his ankle to play in the 2012 Grand Final.

HAWTHORN superstar Shaun Burgoyne has revealed the pain he went through to play in the 2012 Grand Final, needing multiple injections in his ankle.

Burgoyne, who plays his 350th game next weekend, this week detailed the injury hurdles he’s had to overcome to reach the milestone.

One of those was playing with a major ankle injury in the 2012 loss to Sydney.

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“I did a syndesmosis injury in that year’s preliminary final against Adelaide and for the Grand Final we jabbed it up three or four times and played,” Burgoyne said.

The man known as “silk” was a solid contributor in the Hawks’ 10-point loss to the Swans six years ago, finishing with 21 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances.

But in the rooms after the game things took a turn for the worse.

“My whole foot turned purple and I couldn’t put any weight on it at all. I was in excruciating pain,” Burgoyne said.

“I went to hospital the next day, but I couldn’t have surgery for a week because of all the swelling. Once I did I spent the next six weeks on the couch.

“But the pain returned and I had this lump that formed in my calf. I went to the Epworth Hospital and they found three blood clots.

“They went into emergency mode. After I was released I was put on Home Hospital for about a month, with nurses and doctors coming over to jab me in the guts with blood thinners. Then I was put on Warfarin for about three months.”

Shaun Burgoyne in action during the 2012 Grand Final, which he played hurt.

That was followed by the appointments at Melbourne Pathology where Burgoyne underwent regular blood tests.

“I was going in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It opened at 7am, but the oldies would get there at 6.15am and line up. It would be 7.50am and I’d still be six back in the line,” he said.

“I didn’t realise how dangerous blood clots could be, but I wouldn’t change it. I’d still play in the Grand Final and I’d still jab it up. My leg came close to fracturing as well, but I’d do it all again.”

Burgoyne, 35, has led a charmed life when it comes to soft tissue injuries and while osteitis pubis ruined his first season at Port Adelaide in 2001, he only copped his first hamstring injury in Round 2 this year.

But his durability is born from resilience as much as good luck.

Burgoyne joined Hawthorn on crutches before the 2010 season with a serious knee injury, while a broken jaw, reconstructed thumb and that 2012 ankle surgery have all challenged him.

Hawthorn’s clash against Adelaide on Saturday night will put Burgoyne level with Doug Hawkins at 15th on the all-time games-played list.

But only Michael Tuck (39) has played more finals than Burgoyne (33).

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