Young gun treads path to AFL future
A FEW years ago he was a kid in Hope Vale, yesterday he was a young man having a social game of golf and next year Far North product Damien Burke might just be an AFL player.
The emerging key position talent was this week invited to a new AFL concept as part of this year’s state combine series, the “Rookie Me” combine, which has 23 invitees for 2017.
To be nominated for the VicMULGRAVE toria, SA or WA combines, players need to receive at least three nominations from AFL clubs, with players that received two nominations, like Burke, to test at the Rookie Me combine, an official AFL combine.
The Gold Coast Suns Academy member caught scouts’ eyes with bags of five and six goals in the Academy Series earlier this year and has played at NEAFL level in 2017.
The former AFL Cape York House student is now studying sports management at Bond University and was enjoying a round of golf yesterday following some exams.
“I was not really expecting the interest from AFL clubs but it is great that it has come,” Burke said. “It was really exciting when I was told. “Over the year, I have done the extra training and aimed to work harder and it is panning out now.”
Burke has dedicated himself to his training since relocating south, according to Suns Talent Academy manager Jason Torney.
“He showed some really good AFL attributes this year and this invitation is an excellent result for him,” Torney said.
“This shows there is interest in him and it will now depend on how well he tests at the combine.”
The first Rookie Me combine will take place on October 7 at a venue yet to be decided and AFL Cape York regional manager Rick Hanlon believes Burke has striven hard inside the classroom as well as on the field.
“He has great support from his family and he travels back to Hope Vale most holidays to see them,” Hanlon said.
“He really knuckled down when he was at the house and showed a lot of courage in terms of his determination to schoolwork.”
Meanwhile, South Cairns youngster Levi Norsworthy is the latest AFL Cairns Rising Star.