Burgess a success story

Late-bloomer gets his crack at AFL with the Suns

CHRIS Burgess only started to realise he might be able to make a career in footy a year ago.

By his own admission the now 22-year-old “wasn’t really that good at footy” when he was younger.

Yet the qualified schoolteacher, who was preparing to host another year of classes in 2019, has shot from unknown amateur to a member of the Gold Coast Suns AFL list. Burgess is one of three state league players picked by Gold Coast as part of the Special Assistance package the club received from the AFL.

It’s been a unique journey for Burgess and the West Adelaide SANFL product is determined to make the most of it.

“It’s a big step up but I’m excited to be here,” Burgess said.

“There is a lot of hard work to be done going forward and I’m keen to put in.

“I didn’t have any major plans in 2018, I was just seeing what happened.

“I didn’t go to the draft when I was younger, I wasn’t really that good at footy.

“It wasn’t until I had a huge growth spurt at around 17 that I started getting better.”

Burgess, who weighs 93kg, was cut from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens at age 14 and played amateur footy until he was 18 when he attended a “come and try” session with West Adelaide.

The decision put Burgess on the path to the AFL.

But it wasn’t until he finished equal third in West Adelaide’s best and fairest votes last year that he realised he could play at a higher level.

The 194cm key position player can play at either end of the ground, doubling his chances of securing a spot in Gold Coast’s 22 given the loss off Tom Lynch and Steven May.

“I don’t really have a preferred position, both have their upsides,” he said.

His ability to be a swingman may also free up Suns foundation player Sam Day to play his preferred role at key forward. Age ........................................ 22 Position ................ Key position Weight .............................. 93kg Height ............................. 194cm