I don’t quite know how to begin this piece, so I guess I’ll just start with the facts. As of yesterday morning, Scott Burns has officially retired. As a supporter of this proud club and with all due respect to those before him, I don’t think there has ever been a Collingwood player – in my lifetime of course – who I have admired more than Sir Scott.
Throughout his career he was consistently one of our best performed and as such, most important players. Whilst Buckley was our standout champion, Burns went relatively unsung for the majority of his days and was arguably just as influential on Collingwood’s fortunes. Buckley tore teams apart with his incredible skills and capacity to accumulate disposals, whilst Burns tore teams apart literally; at the bottom of every pack.
Scott Burns has been a credit to the Collingwood Football Club since being drafted in 1992. Beginning his career as a courageous and dependable back pocket, Burns progressed into the midfield to become Collingwood’s most prolific clearance player. But Burns wasn’t all grunt and no polish, he had the attributes to damage sides both defensively and offensively. In one-on-one contests, whether aerially or on the ground, Scott Burns generally won out with desperation and nous.
It was only last year when Michael Voss paid tribute to Scott Burns publicly, stating that Burns was one of his favourite players. This is quite a compliment coming from a player who is largely recognised as one of the best to play the game, not to mention a player who was once on the receiving end of a Scott Burns shirt front during the 2002 Grand Final. Voss recovered from that bump to be instrumental in the following piece of play that resulted in a Brisbane goal; and he let Burns know about it as well. Regardless, respect was obviously won – or had already been won from past skirmishes – and Voss would be the first to testify that Sir Scott Burns was one of the hardest yet fairest players he competed against.
This aforementioned example is testament to the way Scott Burns played the game and the way in which he was perceived by those he played with and against. Shirking the issue was something completely foreign to Scott Burns; when it was his time to put his head over the ball he did so without hesitation. On the other side of the coin, Burns was never untoward in the manner in which he administered punishment on opposition players — they most definitely knew they had just crossed paths with Scott Burns, but amidst the soreness no ill feelings could be found.
With the retirement of Buckley at the end of last season, Burns assumed the captaincy for our 2008 campaign. He was a shoe-in for the job and performed it with aplomb, being instrumental in many of Collingwood’s victories throughout the year. A persistent calf injury prevented Scott Burns from playing in the finals and ultimately proved to be the reason for Burns unselfishly calling it a day; preferring to retire admirably rather than risk becoming a liability, a word which even the most scrupulous of supporters could never bring themselves to attach to Scott Burns.
There is still a bright future for Scott Burns in the football world, as many clubs have expressed interest in his services as an assistant coach. Geelong and Carlton appear to be the front-runners at this stage, and whilst it would be difficult to see Scott Burns at another club in any capacity – especially the Blues – he has bled for the black and white and I wish him all the best in his endeavours. Besides, when Malthouse decides to call it a day, Burns might be ripe and ready to return to where his heart undoubtedly lies.
As our 5th leading game player and one of our most loyal and respected sons, Scott Burns leaves a giant legacy and an equally vast void to fill. It is time for a changing of the guard at Collingwood, but we are in good standing with the knowledge that our up-and-comers have been able to stand alongside the likes of Sir Scott. We can only hope that they have been able to learn something from the impeccable example he has set.
Thank you and farewell Scott Burns, the Collingwood faithful are forever in your debt.
