Burge chases redemption after grand final loss
THE sour taste left in Jason Burge’s mouth after Palm Beach Currumbin’s QAFL grand final defeat has led the Grogan Medal winner to push back retirement plans and chase redemption.
Burge says he is “95 per cent sure” he will play on in 2020 after considering hanging up the boots at the end of the 2019 season.
The midfielder, who turns 33 today, was part of the Lions team that fell short of winning three straight QAFL premierships in September.
The 2018 premiers lost to Surfers Paradise 9.9 (63) to 9.7 (61) in the grand final at Metricon
Stadium on September 14.
Burge said the loss was enough to light the fire in his belly and play on.
“I’m going to go around again. I’m 95 per cent sure I am,” Burge said.
“I was definitely weighing it up. I still think I’m playing pretty good footy and with the way we lost last season, it didn’t sit very well with me. You definitely never want to lose by that close a margin in a grand final so it’s a bit about redemption as well.”
Burge nearly missed out on playing in this year’s grand final following a dramatic period that nearly resulted in his suspension.
Burge was initially given a three-game suspension by the Match Review Panel after being charged with rough conduct for a hit on Surfers Paradise’s Sam Jewell in a semifinal at Salk Oval on August 31.
PBC successfully argued Burge’s case before the AFLQ failed in their bid to appeal the decision by an independent tribunal.