Burgoyne on track for season opener for Hawks

February 9:  Expect excitement machine Shaun Burgoyne to light up Hawthorn’s  midfield in 2010.

The Port Adelaide 2004 premiership player and genuine matchwinner is destined to be one of the recruits of the season.

The 27-year-old’s troublesome left knee which restricted him to just nine games for the Power last year is getting stronger and stronger.

The Hawks are confident Burgoyne should be able to play two games – either in the NAB Cup (if the brown and golds can progress through the knock-out competition) or NAB Challenge – before the season opener against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, March 27.

Burgoyne played 157 games and kicked 171 goals with Port Adelaide before becoming disenchanted.

A brilliant clearance player, Burgoyne was difficult to stop when in full flight.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will be delighted with Burgoyne in his line-up.

Coach and his players are hell bent on bouncing back powerfully from a bitterly disappointing 2009 season.

The Hawks failed to make the finals after winning the premiership is such miraculous fashion  in 2008.

A lot will depend on the form of full forward Lance “Buddy” Franklin.

Franklin managed only 67 goals last year after slotting 113 in the premiership year.

Meanwhile, the freakishly talented Cyril Rioli is battling a problem with his groin and hip.

A valuable player in Hawthorn’s shock win over Geelong in the 2008 grand final, Rioli has been rested from training for several weeks and faces a race against time to be fit for the first round encounter against the Demons.