By Tara Murray
As a Western Bulldogs supporter, Western Jets’ Thomas Burton was in his element when he got to train with the club.
A member of the AFL Academy, for the best players heading into their draft year, Burton had the opportunity to spend time with an AFL club.
His club just happened to be the Bulldogs.
“That was so good,” he said. “It was one of the best experiences that I had to be in that environment, it was ridiculous.
“It was a surprise to be at that club and I was over the moon it was the Bulldogs. They were really good to me
“Any club would have been good, I’m so grateful for them to take me in and be part of the team for a week.”
The Bulldogs experience late last year has been part of a big few months for Burton.
He was named in the academy after playing on the MCG in the under-17s futures game.
Burton said while the academy was something that he wanted to be part of, it wasn’t something he set for himself.
“It has been pretty hectic so far, pretty crazy,” he said. “I get to train and play with the best 20 players in the country.
“It’s pretty surreal, it was good and I was not really thinking it was going to happen. I played well on grand final day and was fortunate enough to get selected.
“To be out there on the MCG was crazy. By the end of the first quarter, I was gassed.”
The academy has already had one camp and will have more later in the year and play some games together,
Burton is aware how much this helps in his football journey.
“Having a strong bottom age year means I’ve already been seen by recruiters,” he said. “It’s a good base and I want to go beyond that. It’s about me advancing this year.”
For Burton, the football dream and being drafted started when he was about 15.
The following year, he made his senior debut for his local club, Point Cook on the biggest stage in a grand final.
“I trained with them the previous week and Clay Smith the coach asked me if I was able to play and I said of course I’m able to play,” he said.
“It was a really good experience to be able to train with them as well. It’s the best atmosphere that I’ve played in.
“I was worried I wouldn’t fit in, but after the first quarter I thought I could make a difference in the game.”
Burton, who looks to Jason Johannisen and Zac Butters for inspiration on his game, is currently battling an injury but is hoping to be back running in the next few weeks.
His first focus is to be ready for the practice matches for the Jets before playing the first few games.
Being part of the Vic Metro squad is also one of his major aims in the next few months,
