Back home in SA, Chris Burgess is pinching himself at the chance to wear his childhood team’s colours.

“It’s good to be back in Adelaide, it was always the plan to try and come back with footy,” Burgess told AFC Media. 

“I grew up a Crows fan watching Sloane and Walker as a teenager so now to be sharing a changeroom and training with them every day is a pretty cool feeling.

“I had season tickets as a kid so it’s pretty cool to now be in the guernsey.”

The versatile key position player joined Adelaide from the Gold Coast during the 2023 AFL Trade Period after 36 games for the Suns. 

During his time in Queensland, he showed his ability to play both ends of the ground, highlighted by winning the past two Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medals (VFL leading goal kicker).

Now back in Adelaide the 28-year-old has enjoyed getting to know his teammates, already taking part in training sessions during the offseason.  

“I came two weeks ago before preseason started and trained out at Karen Rolton with a bunch of the boys,” he said.

“I got to hangout with them there and then grab a few coffees afterwards, so I’ve got to know the boys really well.

“All the coaches and all the players have been awesome so can’t complain.”

Ahead of his first season at West Lakes, Burgess said his goal for the 2024 season was to play as much AFL footy as possible.

“That’s the plan, play as much AFL footy as I can here, and help the team as much as I can,” Burgess said.

“I’m definitely looking forward to playing at Adelaide Oval, I’ve heard a lot of good things.

“I’ve played one game there against the Crows when it was packed out and it was a pretty cool atmosphere.

“To be on the other end of that would be pretty cool.”