Former Hawthorn and Port Adelaide great Shaun Burgoyne will join Channel 7's commentary team for the 2022 season.
The four-time premiership great will link up with former teammate Luke Hodge behind the microphone, with his first stint for the AFL season set to see Burgoyne add special comments in next Wednesday's season opener and grand final rematch.
The 407-gamer was among the commentary team for Sunday's AFLW clash between Adelaide and Collingwood, adding expertise and analysis in the Crows' two-point win.
While Burgoyne was a cool, calm and collected individual on-field, the 39-year-old revealed he held some nerves in regards to stepping into a media role.
โIโm pretty excited, itโs going to be new and different,โ Burgoyne toldย The Herald Sun.
โItโs a bit of a nervous transition but at the end of the day itโs still football.
โI have grown up playing football, I then played football for a long time so really itโs just adding comments about the game you see.
โItโs an easier transition than if I would have transitioned to a completely different industry.โ
Channel 7 have already looked to shake up their commentary team for the season ahead, with Daisy Pearce set to step into a Friday night time slot in a swap with Wayne Carey.
Burgoyne will share his new media duties with his return to Port Adelaide, with the 2004 Power premiership player set to hold multiple roles, including list management, corporate relations and mentoring, while also being appointed as an Indigenous liaison officer.
The Power will host Hawthorn in Round 2 of the season, with Burgoyne's two beloved clubs set to clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, March 26.
โItโs going to be interesting to see them when they come over,โ Burgoyne added. โIโm in regular contact with some of my teammates who are still at the Hawks.
โI must admit I donโt miss the training and I donโt miss that sort of stuff but I do miss the general banter, hanging out with your mates in the locker room. Some of those blokes are mates for life and I miss their day-to-day humour.โ
Burgoyne played a total of 21 seasons in the AFL, calling time on his career at the end of last season after 250 games with the Hawks and 157 with the Power.
