TRENT BURGOYNE was one of the great mysteries heading into the 2019 NAB AFL Draft.
The son of dual premiership player Peter Burgoyne, Trent played only about a half of football in 2019 thanks to nagging hamstring injuries, which made it difficult for AFL clubs to gauge where he stood in the draft pecking order.
However, other clubs’ indecision turned Port Adelaide’s blessing as the Power was able to snap up the speedy midfielder with pick 22 of the Rookie Draft.
Burgoyne, whose grandfather Peter Snr also played for the Magpies, said he was thrilled to get his opportunity to carry on his family legacy at Port Adelaide.
“It’s pretty exciting to be a part of it now,” Burgoyne said at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
“It’s obviously been a pretty long year and a pretty long wait, but I’m just happy to be here now.
“It was a bit of weight off my shoulders because of the year I’ve had with injury.
“It was just good to get on the list.”
Port Adelaide’s medical staff kept a close eye on Burgoyne’s injury progress throughout the season and the midfielder said he was ready get into training.
“I’ve fixed my hamstrings up and they’re okay,” he said.
“I’ll be alright to train.”
The Woodville-West Torrens product showed flashes of his potential during his bottom age Under-18 season and he said his speed is his most dangerous attribute.
“I’m a run and carry type of player so I use my speed quite a bit,” he said.
“I can play forward as well, kick some goals as a small forward.
“I like to have a bit of impact around the midfield as well.”
While his father retired in 2009, Burgoyne’s uncle Shaun, also a premiership player at Port Adelaide, is remarkably still playing.
However, the younger Burgoyne hasn’t wrapped his head around facing his uncle on the footy field just yet.
“I haven’t really thought about that,” said the 18 year old.
“He’s still going, I don’t know how he’s doing it.
“I just have to work hard.”
There are several iconic photos of a young Trent with his father on Grand Final day in 2004 and while he doesn’t remember that famous day, he does have fond memories of spending time with his dad at the club.
“I have a few memories,” he recalled.
“I remember running around in the gym, kicking the footy and swimming in the pool.
“It’s good to be around it.”
The latest Burgoyne to join Port Adelaide will next have the chance to form some memories at Alberton Oval when he joins his new teammates for pre-season training bright and early on Monday morning.
