RYAN Burton is excited to land at “the club he loves” and grew up supporting – Port Adelaide.

Speaking after his first training session with the Power on Monday, the 21-year-old told media that initial feelings of shock over being put up for trade by former club Hawthorn quickly turned to excitement once he learned Port Adelaide was at the other end of the deal.

“I was a bit shocked and shattered…but the fact that it was getting to come home to a club I love, made it better,” he said.

“Port was on the other end and it was a club that was always in the back of my mind to go to down the track, and it was a club I grew up loving – so it made it a lot easier.”



Burton has supported Port Adelaide since childhood and also spent time training at the club prior to being drafted to Hawthorn in 2015.

He’s relishing in the opportunity to play alongside some familiar names on the Port Adelaide list, and has received plenty of messages of support from his new teammates.

“A couple of the senior boys messaged me, really trying to welcome me to the club…they really wanted me to be a part of it, so that helped me make a decision,” he said.

“I grew up loving blokes like Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett – I’m keen to play with blokes like that, it’s pretty special.

“I’ve heard a lot about Tom Jonas as a leader and as a player…I’m looking forward to playing down back with the likes of him.”



Midfield coach Jarrad Schofield is intent on bolstering Port’s midfield depth in 2019, and pointed to a possible addition of Burton to the midfield mix last week.

Despite spending the majority of his career with Hawthorn in defence, Burton says he’s keeping an open mind about his position at Port Adelaide and is happy to fill whatever role is required.

“I’m happy to play wherever I need to - obviously I was drafted as a forward, I played midfield as a junior, and then as a back for the 40-odd games I’ve played at AFL,” he said.

“I’d love to push into the midfield in the next few years, but If I’m required as a half back, I’m happy to fulfill that role.”

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