Play it safe. Get through it.
This is perhaps the accepted norm, except that Saturday’s ‘Damian Drum’ medalist from the K-Rock Cup clash with the Werribee Tigers- George Burbury, is not ‘most players’.
The crafty Tasmanian was influential in both the Cats 2012 season as well as their Premiership victory with his exuberant and exciting play style. Often creating plays out of nothing Burbury hits the packs with gusto and thrills the crowd with daring feats- his intensity on the field and diligence in training earning him runner up Best and Fairest behind Jonathan Simpkin last season.
‘Burbs’ game on Saturday was no exception. In his first game back since that memorable flag win, Burbury picked up 17 touches and 6 goals, 2 behinds. The stress fracture in his foot, detected on January 14 of this year seemed but a distant memory.
He set up vital plays into the forward line and heaped pressure on the Tigers whenever they attempted to clear the Cats forward half.
A couple of skyscraping screamers, several jaw dropping and defence defying maneuvers, and a six goal haul in your first game back from injury sure makes for impressive viewing.
His two goals in as many minutes in the final quarter produced one particularly amazing goal that had those around us staring in stunned disbelief.
The ball came in hot, contested fiercely by the Tigers defence. The Cats work it deep into their pocket to a contest, perhaps twenty out. Burbs is in there taking them all on. He gathers the hard ball under pressure- selflessly shrugs off two tacklers on the way through, avoids two passing opportunities and drills it from the pocket!
You start to wonder, is there anything he can’t do when he puts his mind to it? The sheer determination, focus and self belief to back himself is part of what makes George so brilliant at what he does.
According to the man himself, a noted team player, it was getting out there on the park that meant the most.
“It was nice just to be out there with the boys again and having them around” Burbury stated after the game.
“I've been in the training group for 3 or 4 weeks now and itching to get out on the park and match up on some opponents when you can go 100% at the footy which is something you can’t get at training”.
Burbury was as humble post match as he was ferocious on the paddock when asked about how it felt to kick a bag of six in his return match.
“Its a little bit of cream on the top” he said.
“My role in our forward line in the VFL, or if I am lucky enough to get the opportunity in the AFL is predominantly forward pressure”.
“If i look at my stats sheet I am more worried about my tackles, pressure acts inside the forward half, winning one on ones, that is what i try and pride myself on to kick a few goals as well is a bit of a bonus. Thats my game”.
The injury itself, with its 14 week recovery time took Burbs a little by surprise and he found the levels of support within the club exceptionally high.
“I didn't have much of an idea what (the injury) meant- I certainly didn't think it was a 14 week injury” Burbury said.
“I spoke to Jimmy Bartell, Matty Egan messaged me, Travy Varcoe, Linc Macarthy, Josh Cowan all these boys were around me (with support) and the advice that the only way to get it right was just to be so diligent with the rehab”.
“At the best of times I am not an overly patient person but that was something I had to really be on top of”.
Coach Matthew Knights was proud of the return Burbury made, and his important contribution to the days win.
“From my perspective I could not have asked for more, he played a very good game, he defended hard, he flew for his marks- his timing for marks for someone who has missed a lot of footy is probably the highlight” Knights said.
“He got his goals different ways, he got them from ground balls and snap, set shots and marks”.
“I am just pleased he has been able to cap off what's been a really tough 14 week journey, to play well and get a bit of reward for himself, even though he is an ultimate team player”.
“Its just a great performance”.
You can be sure this will be only the first of many ‘great performances’ from the one and only, George Burbury.
