IF LAST Friday night's final quarter wasn't enough to convince Fremantle that Shaun Burgoyne is a priority come Saturday, then there is some irrefutable proof of the Hawthorn star's importance on Grand Final day.
Burgoyne is Hawthorn's fifth-highest placed player (44th overall) in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Vero.
And his performance against Geelong in the preliminary final was the best of any Hawthorn player, with three goals and two score assists. In the last term, he had several important moments as the Hawks surged to a comeback victory.
It bodes well for a strong Grand Final, although Burgoyne's form against the Dockers already should have them on notice.
Since 2010, Burgoyne has played in all six of Hawthorn's games against Fremantle, and has the best Player Rating points average of any player in those games.
He has averaged 24 disposals and 4.2 inside 50s for a total of eight goals and 10 score assists in those games.
It is the equivalent of 18.2 player ratings points per game. In perspective, the No.2 player in the competition, Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield, has averaged 18 Player Ratings points a game, which is less than Burgoyne's output against Fremantle.
Burgoyne's effort of 21.3 points against Geelong was behind only that of brilliant Cat Steve Johnson, who scored 25.4 points with his 32 disposals and four goals.
Fremantle is not without its own players who lift their output against the Hawks.
Nathan Fyfe looms as a matchwinner on Saturday after a terrific season, as does midfield partner David Mundy. Both have averaged more than 14 Player Ratings points against Hawthorn since 2010.
Fyfe ranked second in Freo's preliminary final win over the Sydney Swans, picking up 17 points.
Small forward Michael Walters, who booted three goals and had six contested possessions inside forward 50, was ranked highest with 18.4 points.
