ECHUCA’S Christian Burgess will be aiming to continue his goalkicking run when the Bendigo Bank Pioneers take on Calder Cannons in tomorrow’s TAC Cup under-18s football match at Moama.
In the past fortnight, Burgess has kicked three goals in the Pioneers’ 100-point win against Northern Knights at Preston, plus four goals and a best-on-ground performance for Echuca Bombers against the mighty Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley competition.
The 18-year-old returns to where his football career kicked off with Moama’s under-12s for the showdown with Calder.
After last Saturday’s massive victory, the David Newett-coached Pioneers will be determined to silence the Cannons.
A first-year player in the TAC Cup, Burgess has impressed in and around the packs, as well as his defensive skills.
“Kicking efficiency is something I have really worked on, as well as getting to as many contests as I can,” said the skilful small forward.
He worked hard over summer to build up fitness and strength and recently racked up 15.9 in the beep test.
Burgess and Echuca clubmate and Pioneers captain Oliver Wines will be keen to play well. “To be playing a TAC Cup match at Moama is great for the town,” said Burgess.
“There are no matches in the Goulburn Valley this weekend, and Moama (which plays in the Murray FL) has a bye, so hopefully there will be a big crowd there.”
For this round at least, Burgess does not have to travel so far to represent the Pioneers.
He spends plenty of time travelling to Bendigo for football and for first-year studies in the Sports Education Development Australia program.
“The SEDA program is great. A goal is to work in the AFL industry, so I am learning a lot about sports management, fitness training, and a lot more.”
Burgess has also shown he is quick learner for the Pioneers.
