The Seven-Month Exile: Burgess's Journey from Forgotten Man to Jets' Leader
Mark Milligan expressed empathy for what Max Burgess endured during his seven-month sidelining at Sydney FC. Despite this challenge, Milligan immediately recognized Burgess's strong desire not only to regain his previous form but also to improve further.
Burgess is set to face Sydney FC and his former coach, Ufuk Talay, for the first time since leaving Moore Park. The Jets will host the Sky Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Currently, Burgess is performing at the peak of his career.
"I played against Max and have known Max for a long time," Milligan said. "I had a clear vision about what I thought Max's role would be here. Part of that was bringing through and showing the young ones what it takes to be a professional."
"What he did go through [in Sydney] was not easy. The way he went about things — he stayed professional and kept working. When I brought him in here, he was in good shape and had a hunger."
"The first time I sat down with Max, I saw the hunger in him to get back to the player he knew he could be and go on from there to become better."
At 30 years old, Burgess made only three appearances in his final Sydney FC season, during which the Sky Blues missed the finals. Previously, he had averaged 24 appearances each season at his boyhood club.
Burgess’s resilience and professionalism have transformed him from a sidelined player into a key leader for the Jets.