Luke Hodge is confused about Hawthorn's decision to extend Shaun Burgoyne's contract.
The Hawks announced Burgoyne would play for a 20th and final season in 2021 before taking an off-field role.
Hodge was happy to see his former teammate given the chance to reach the 400-game milestone but questioned the direction of the club for prioritising a veteran over a youngster.
โIโm absolutely rapt [for Shaun Burgoyne after the contract extension],โ he said on SENโs Crunch Time.
โAs far as Hawthorn for where theyโre going and where theyโre aiming, Iโm confused as ever.
โI thought the writing was on the wall a few weeks ago when they said they werenโt going to get rid of their first draft pick, they started to play a lot of younger guys to get them ready and I thought they were well-positioned.
โFor Burgoyne, I think itโs great but [coach Alastair Clarkson] has always been about โwhoโs going to be in our next premiership teamโ and I donโt know if Clarko loves Shaun enough that heโs overpowered [football boss] Graham Wright or heโs confused where theyโre going โฆ I donโt know."
Burgoyne has played 387 games and is on the verge of becoming the fifth player to reach 400 games in AFL/VFL history.
The Hawks have yet to make a decision on the futures of fellow veterans Ben Strattan, Paul Puopolo, Isaac Smith, Ricky Henderson and James Frawley, while Jack Gunston and Luke Breust are believed to be on the trade table.
