Burnett set to be 8th Lion to Debut in 2018

Ethan Burnett will be the eighth new Lion to debut in 2018 and the sixth to make his WAFL league debut this year after being confirmed as a starter for the Round Two match with South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

 

After Ben Newton, Ryan Borchet, Kaidyn Fullgrabe, Jacob Miller and Nick Menegola made their WAFL league debuts last week, Burnett becomes the 1636th player to represent Subiaco's league team.

 

It caps off a remarkable change in fortunes for Burnett who 18 months ago had contemplated giving the game away and six months ago missed Subiaco’s Reserves Premiership after missing much of the year due to injury.

 

For Burnett, the moment when he got the call from senior coach Jarrad Schofield confirming the good news of a league debut, it seemed to go by quickly.

 

“Jarrad rang and I was at work, so it sort of just went by and I was back to it,” Burnett said.

 

“Thinking about it now though, it means a lot and it is an achievement I am really proud of to play WAFL league football.”

 

Burnett was highly regarded coming through Subiaco’s talent programs after making the transition up from Esperance where he represented Newtown-Condingup in the Esperance Districts Football League.

 

After playing 10 games in the 2014 Colts season, Burnett became an instrumental player in the 2015 Colts side playing 19 games and finishing as the Runner Up in the Fairest and Best, behind Jack Beverley.

 

While that 2015 year was a disappointing season for the Subiaco colts as a whole as they won just three games and finished bottom of the ladder, Burnett showed great promise as a player with a thirst for the contest and was willing to play the team role throughout the year.

 

In his first two season in senior football in 2016 and 2017 Burnett had battled to show his best football as he battled personal circumstances and injury while still trying to make it to Subiaco’s elite expectation standard towards training and games.

 

However a change in attitude and greater commitment across the past six months has paid dividends for Burnett in being selected for his first league game.

 

“I think my attitude just changed,” Burnett said.

 

“I improved my standards towards training and just tried to get the most out of myself.”

 

Indeed Burnett alongside great mate Tom Breeze has been a regular well before training starts or on non-training nights doing extra weight sessions or doing extra running sessions trying to have himself best prepared to play for Subiaco in 2018.

 

After playing in every pre-season game and showing strong form throughout the pre-season, Burnett was well in the mix for selection in round one, however an off the ball indiscretion resulted in a suspension meaning he missed round one.

 

“I was really disappointed in myself, but its something I have learnt from and will make me enjoy the debut even more,” Burnett said.

 

League coach Jarrad Schofiled was delighted for another young player to be given an opportunity to represent the Subiaco Football Club and saw Burnett's elevation to league football as a great reward for his efforts over pre-season.

 

"Ethan is a very talented footballer but he's worked extremely hard on his fitness and has been one of the hardest workers in the gym so it is no surprise he has improved so much over the summer," Schofield said.

 

"Ethan's performances and his ability to play a variety of roles along with his thirst for the contested game has earned Ethan the right to play his first league game."

 

A private individual, Burnett has already been taken aback by the positive feedback that has come through since word of his debut has spread.

 

“Dad is really excited, think he is telling everyone, I got a call from my uncle as well, hopefully I can have a good game on Saturday,” Burnett said.

 

As for the game itself, as he has made a career of so far, Burnett is focused on doing the little things right. It will all be about the tackles and the pressure he can put on his opponents that will dictate how far he will go as a WAFL league player.

 

Burnett continues a growing trend of Subiaco district players making their debut with Subiaco and adds to a growing group of regional players that are making a mark with Subiaco.

 

Be sure to check out Ethan in his debut match when Subiaco battle South Fremantle this Saturday, 4.15pm start at Fremantle Oval.