Brett Burton...Forward?

[showdownhero]

yes definately a wingman...his best attribute is his engine - so we've got to use it.

Just cause he is playing up forward doesn't mean he can't run his opponent ragged. I think he has to play forward I don't believe he thinks enough to play on the wing.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

yes definately a wingman...his best attribute is his engine - so we've got to use it.

HFF - It seems the Birdman also thinks he will spend more time in the forward line:


'Birdman' ready to soar again for Crows
Andrew McGarry
March 10, 2006
IT'S been a while for Crows fans, but finally it seems that 2006 may herald the return of the 'Birdman', Brett Burton.

Any tape of Adelaide highlights from the last decade would include at least one screaming grab from Burton but team priorities have meant that Burton has been more earthbound in recent seasons.

Now, however, the increasing pace of the game, coupled with a change in emphasis by coach Neil Craig, could allow Burton to soar.

Against Port Adelaide in the first round of the NAB Cup a fortnight back, Burton drew roars of approval from the fans by taking some of his trademark hangers over Power defenders.

More importantly, his performance was marked by quick, accurate disposal which helped the Crows' midfield crush Port Adelaide.

Speaking to Burton, it is clear he enjoys the thrill of taking big marks.

"At the end of the day we are footballers, but we are also entertainers," Burton said.

"Part of the game is entertaining, and people come to see the game because they want to to see those things."

Having started out as a high-flier, for the last three or four years Burton has found himself in the midfield, a role he finds much tougher than patrolling the forward line.

Adelaide's more attacking play under Craig has changed Burton's role.

"It's changed my game to a degree because I'm more of a defensive wingman," he said.

"So I usually try and come back to help out the defence and generate play from the half-back line. But being a more attacking side, when you're winning games, the ball doesn't go into the defence as much, and you're not in the play as much."

Burton said that when it came to the crunch, he believed himself "more of a natural forward than a midfielder", and there are positive signs for Crows fans who want to see him in a more attacking role again.
"I think as suggested in the last few weeks, I may spend more time in the forward line this year," Burton said.
"Craigie has said he wants to move a few of the senior guys through the forward area to give some of the younger guys - your (Brent) Reillys, your (Michael) Doughtys more time in the midfield."

"We don't want to get a situation in a couple of years where the Goodwins, Ricciutos, McLeods are all looking to retire and we haven't given these younger guys the time in the midfield."

Burton is very excited about the upcoming season for a number of reasons, particularly his injury-free start to the year.

"I haven't missed any training sessions and my body is in the best shape since I started playing back in 1999," Burton said.

His goals for the year are simple - to improve his performance in general, to help his team out and, most importantly, to stay injury free. Last year he missed the opening month of the season with a hamstring strain and since 1999 Burton has had only two seasons where he has played every game.

"Those other years, I've missed stretches of four, six, eight games in a row," he said. "It hasn't always been preventable because of impact injuries, but it would be nice to have a full season without injuries."

Burton said he and his team-mates were eager to go at least one step further than last season, following the loss to West Coast in the preliminary final.

"Obviously last year was not what we expected at the start (of the year), but towards the end we had some confidence in the group," Burton said.

"I guess walking away from the loss in the semi-final last year and watching the grand final the weekend after, we thought: 'Gee, we really could have been there'.

"That sticks in your guts I suppose, and that's been driving us in the off-season and pre-season."

Coach Craig revealed yesterday the latest member of the "crushers" (first and second years) group to make his debut for the Crows against Melbourne in tonight's NAB Cup semi-final at AAMI Stadium. While the inclusion of Matthew Clarke means John Meesen will miss out on selection, the Crows will go with Victorian recruit Richard Douglas in defence.

"I'm very, very pleased with all of the younger players we have played so far. There is not one that has disappointed us so we are really pleased," Craig said.

 

[macca23]

"Craigie has said he wants to move a few of the senior guys through the forward area to give some of the younger guys - your (Brent) Reillys, your (Michael) Doughtys more time in the midfield."

See, even Burton refers to him as "young" Doughty.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

See, even Burton refers to him as "young" Doughty.

Yeah I noticed that.