Retired AFL great Shaun Burgoyne has flagged a return to his junior club Mallee Park, with a singular showcase appearance potentially on the cards.
Burgoyne will return to South Australia in taking up a mentor, list management and Indigenous liaison position with his former club Port Adelaide in what is a heartwarming homecoming for the 38-year-old.
The four-time premiership player called time on his 407-game career this year, ending one of the most decorated stints the game has seen.
Since his decision to hang up the boots, a number of local football clubs have been eager to gain Burgoyne's services for next season.
Speaking on Sportsday, the 2006 All-Australian revealed clubs from his home city of Darwin have looked to pry him back to the Northern Territory.
“I’ve actually had a couple of phone calls,” Burgoyne said.
“Two from Darwin to see if I wanted to play up there. I said, ‘no thanks’ because I didn’t want to die in the sun up there."
In looking to balance his time at Alberton Oval, Burgoyne said there could be a chance he makes a comeback with childhood club Mallee Park in the Port Lincoln Football League.
“Potentially go back home to Mallee Park and play one game there, that’s about it really," he added.
“I’m looking forward to actually going to watch the amateurs play and having a beer sitting in a deck chair to be honest.”
Burgoyne played 157 games for the Power, playing a key role in the club's maiden AFL premiership in 2004 before moving to Hawthorn ahead of the 2010 season.
The defensive midfielder added a further three flags to his trophy cabinet across his 250-game tenure at Waverley before ending his career as one of only five players to reach the 400 game milestone.