PORT ADELAIDE defender Ryan Burton has hit the ground running in his second pre-season at Alberton, after playing 16 games in his first year with the club.
Burton added some classy ball-use off the half-back flank for the Power in 2019, and the 22-year-old is looking to build on that over summer.
“It’s great to be back at training with the full squad,” Burton told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“The first to fourth-year boys put in a good couple of weeks, and now we are looking forward to working with the rest of the boys.
“The senior guys set a great example for us younger blokes, and I just want to keep learning and building on last year.”
The former Hawk made the most of his time off with a trip around the United States, and he says it’s important for players to be able to get away from the game for a few weeks.
“I had a really good break in the off-season,” Burton said.
“It was really nice to rest the body and all of that. I got away to the States for about three weeks with my best mate.
“I got to travel all around the US - we went and saw plenty of sport and there was some relaxation in there as well, which was nice.”
On Monday, Port Adelaide completed a pick swap with Brisbane, and Burton - a first-round draft pick in 2015 - said he was excited by the prospect off adding another three first-round draftees to the group this year.
“We saw the immediate impact our first-rounders had last season,” he said.
“The energy that Rozee, Butters and Duursma brought to the group was brilliant and hopefully that will be the case again.
“There is a really nice balance with the squad at the moment, and we just want to keep improving.”
Adding to the future excitement for Burton is the club’s 150th celebrations plans, with a variety of commemorative plans set to encapsulate Port Adelaide.
“We have a couple of new guernseys next season and a new logo to portray,” he said.
“It’s a really big year for the club, and I’m particularly looking forward to round 2 against the Crows.
“It’s a big Showdown and we get to wear the Prison Bars, so that should be exciting for the fans and us players.”
