VERSATILE defender Ryan Burton wants to be a big part of Hawthorn's new era – but has warned the premiership-winning old one might not be over yet.
The Hawks opened the season with consecutive defeats to Essendon and Adelaide, but Burton's defensive performance in his first game of the year was a legitimate bright spot.
The 20-year-old is the round two NAB AFL Rising Star nominee and looks to have cemented a berth in Hawthorn's back six after an accomplished 26-disposal display marking Taylor Walker.
"We have a few boys that are my age coming through now, which is nice, and I think a few of the older boys will stay around a bit longer," Burton said.
"I'm trying to forge my way into the team and try and get a game every week and there are plenty of other young boys trying to do the same.
"The team will change in the next few years and hopefully it's us young boys changing it."
Burton worked his way back from a broken left leg, as well as dislocating his kneecap in the same school football incident in 2014, to play his first four matches for the Hawks last year.
The No.19 draft pick in 2015 impressed so much that he inherited departed Hawk Sam Mitchell's old number and has welcomed playing alongside the likes of Jack Gunston and new captain Jarryd Roughead.
"There are plenty of people to learn from and every day I'm learning something from a different person and it's fantastic," Burton said.
"It's definitely brought me a long way as a footballer and person.
"I've looked at a few different players over my last few years and I love the fact I can play forward and back and I want to be able to add midfield to my bow as well."
Burton said a first win for Hawthorn, which meets the winless Gold Coast on Sunday, was not far away and it was just a matter of more consistency.
"We've got new players who've come into the side, and young boys as well, so we're just trying to jell as a team," he said.
"We have played some good footy – it just hasn't been consistent enough – so I'm pretty sure it's going to click soon.
"Our first quarter, even first half, last week was pretty good – and that's Hawks footy. So if we can do that for three, four quarters, we'll definitely get the win."
