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Sport Nation
Wing or half-back? Burgoyne on his Port role and the players set to take the Power forward
Andrew Slevison • February 7th, 2025 3:30 pm
Jase Burgoyne is expecting to start the 2025 season on the wing for Port Adelaide.
The talented 21-year-old was at times seen across half-back throughout his breakout 2024 campaign, mixing his time between defence and wing.
Star rebounding defender Dan Houston’s trade period move to Collingwood has left a gaping hole for coach Ken Hinkley to fill, but for now Burgoyne says he will be making his home on the wing.“I’ve had my chats with Kenny and we’ve talked about it,” he said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“We’ve come to the conclusion that wing is where I’m going to be. In saying that it doesn’t mean I won’t play back at all as you never know what’s going to happen with injuries, form or suspensions.
“I could be next in line to take a backline spot if that happens, but for now I’ve been training on the wing this pre-season and for the start of the year I’ll be on the wing.”
Burgoyne was overlooked early last season but in the end played 23 games as the Power advanced through to the Preliminary Final.
The father-son prospect from the 2021 draft has waited patiently and worked hard before feeling comfortable at the elite level.
All the patience and hard work culminated in his best on ground performance against Hawthorn in the Semi Final when he had 25 disposals and kicked a goal playing off half-back.
“It probably took me until the Freo game (21 disposals in Round 5) when I felt like I belonged at this level,” he added.
“From there I only got more confident which led into the Saints game not too long after (27 touches in Round 7) and then the back end of last year I felt so confident in my ability and my body. Once we got to finals all the hard work paid off and my performances were pretty good.
“I was so happy with the whole year and it was probably my most enjoyable year of footy, and it showed on the footy field.”
The Power have had to deal with the loss of Houston and the retirement of long-time key forward Charlie Dixon in the off-season.
However, Burgoyne is confident that a trio of trade period recruits - Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards and Joe Berry - will have an impact up forward while calling on luckless fellow 2021 draftee Josh Sinn to step up.
“We’re not going to put a lid on what we can achieve this year,” the young gun said further.
“We lost some key members of the team last year with Dan Houston and Charlie Dixon.
“But we’ve brought in Jack Lukosius who is a really good talent and he has showed us what he can bring at pre-season training so far. He’s been really impressive.
“So far he (Lukosius) has been playing as a forward. Expect to see him in the forward line but in saying that you never know what can happen. He’s that talented and he’s got such a good leg that he could play in behind the ball as well as in front of the footy.
“Not only him but Joe Richards and Joe Berry have also been really exciting. They’ve bought a new dynamic to our forward line.
“And just the improvement of everyone else to take the next step, we’re going to need those boys like Mitch Georgiades and Miles Bergman, and the likes of Josh Sinn to step up.
“I’m extremely optimistic and really excited for the year.”
Burgoyne will play for the Indigenous All-Stars against Fremantle on February 15 at Optus Stadium.
He and the Power kick off the 2025 season proper against Collingwood at the MCG on March 15.
