By Peter Howe
This month’s Don Deeble nominee Thomas Burton is one of the best young footballers in the country.
From Point Cook, Burton plays with the Western Jets and is part of the AFL Academy for the best top-age draft players in the country.
LIke many young players, Burton started in Auskick aged six.
“I played tennis and basketball but didn’t love those sports like I loved AFL,” he said. “Footy is my passion.
“I was never the kid in the goal square making sandcastles or kicking the grass around, I just wanted the footy in my hands, I wanted to compete and I thrived on the opportunity to play.”
With an attitude like that, it doesn’t surprise he had the simple mantra of hard work and discipline.
At just 16, he made his senior debut for Point Cook in the Western Football League division 1 competition, in a grand final in 2023.
“I was in the senior training squad with a few others, sadly we had a few injuries leading into that grand final,” he said.
“Others in the group spent their time speculating, I just wanted to get in and train hard. I’m very grateful I got the nod.”
Even a cursory glance at Burton’s awards gives you an idea that he was driven to succeed.
There were best and fairest awards at Point Cook in the under-11s, twice in under-12s and under-16s, with two league best and fairests thrown in as well.
He was elected in the Victorian Schoolboys under-15 team for the national carnival in 2022 and following a very consistent carnival, Burton was selected in the All-Australian schoolboy’s team.
Burton has also developed his leadership skills, captaining Point Cook’s under-16 team and being a vice-captain for the Jets under-16 team.
He said as a leader it’s important for players to know that you have their backs.
“My style includes use of voice to support but also through my actions both on field and at training,” he said.
“I feel that I must set the standards. I can see my younger teammates may be nervous or unsure, it’s my role to instill confidence in them.”
The AFL Academy opened up new opportunities for Burton. There are camps held that focus on high level skill development and intensity.
He said with so many top players in the game, it’s the small things that make the difference.
“Sleep, nutrition, injury management all play a part,” he said. “ So too does the mental aspects of the game.
“I think when you get to this level the game is more mental than physical. I spend a lot of time with the Western Jets wellbeing co-ordinator, Jack Rhodes.
“He taught me how to not dwell on mistakes and remain in the present.”
Burton’s football talents saw him awarded a scholarship at Caulfield Grammar in 2023 where he played the past two years.
He played on the MCG on grand final day in the young guns game last year and represented Vic Metro at the under-18 championships as a bottom after.
For Burton, Covid is the sliding door moment in his young career. He started working with a personal trainer.
“Footy was taken away from us so where do we turn, what do we do?” he said.
“We focused on strength and conditioning, making my core stronger. “We worked on diet and food.
“Without doubt it elevated my footy journey and made me even more focused.”
Burton believes his strengths are his speed, his ability to break packs and make those fast-closing tackles.
What does the future hold for Burton?
“I gained a place in the bachelor of business course at Deakin University,” he said. “ I will defer that for six months as I prepare for the footy season and improve my chances to be drafted at the end of the year. I am prepared to do what I need to, to achieve my dream of playing AFL.
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner contact sswrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
