HAWTHORN champion Shaun Burgoyne wants to remain at Waverley Park in 2020.
AFL.com.au understands the Hawks have commenced talks with Burgoyne's management on a new deal that coach Alastair Clarkson believes could be finalised in the next month.
Despite reports this week linking Burgoyne to a move to the Gold Coast, the four-time premiership star intends to extend his stay at the Hawks for a 19th AFL season.
"I'm still trying to work through potentially getting a contract at Hawthorn and I'd deal with that (another move) if it doesn't happen," Burgoyne told 5AA on Thursday.
"Obviously if I can keep playing as long as I can for Hawthorn that'd be great but if not I'm going to have to face the reality at some stage that I'll retire or move clubs.
"At my age it'd be more likely looking towards retirement than being traded.
"Every player or past player I talk to keeps telling me the same thing that you're forever retired so that'd be my goal to keep playing until I can't." - Shaun Burgoyne
Clarkson's comments on Friday fall in line with Burgoyne's wishes.
"It's usually about this time that we start discussing contracts for next year so that'll be done in the next three or four weeks," Clarkson said.
"We'd be hopeful that all going well he'd want to run around again. We'd be hoping that it'd be in a Hawthorn one and not a Gold Coast one."
While Suns coach Stuart Dew confirmed his club's desire to pursue experienced players, on Thursday he downplayed a direct link with Burgoyne.
Burgoyne will turn 37 in October and should he play the final six games of the season, would enter season 2020 on 376 games.
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"When my body breaks down or the club tells me I'm no longer required or it's best to retire, that's when I'll look into what life after footy requires," Burgoyne said.
"Whether that be a coaching role, a mentoring role or moving off into a totally different direction. We've got to work through whether I'm playing next year first."
