Spud salutes a Saints icon
10:01:58 AM Sun 10 August, 2003
Jordan Chong
afl.com.au
St Kilda’s Nathan Burke is an 'icon' according to Richmond coach and former team mate Danny Frawley.
After unsuccessfully trying to derail St Kilda’s plans to give Burke a fitting farewell, Frawley was finally able to pay tribute to his team-mate of 10 years at Moorabbin.
Speaking at the after-match media conference at Telstra Dome, Frawley told reporters Burke was a ‘perfect example’ of someone who got the most out of their ability.
“He’s an icon. His family should be really proud of him – his parents, his wife and his kids – and more importantly football, not only St Kilda footy club but football in general,” he said.
“He’s just a perfect example of a guy that’s worked really hard. The way he goes about his footy, he was a real professional from a very tender age.”
“He’s infectious, his enthusiasm rubs off on to everyone. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he’s just an absolute beauty.”
Frawley added that one of Burke’s greatest disappointments upon retirement would be joining a long list of players to have ended a long and distinguished career without the ultimate prize – a flag.
“I know the way Nathan goes about it, he only plays for one reason and that’s to be a part of a premiership so unfortunately he’s joined a very unlucky club for guys that have played that amount of football and not played in a premiership.”
“I know there’s a void there with him. I know only too well with that one, but in saying that, all you can do is get the best out of yourself and he’s been able to do that.”
The former Saints full-back said he knew from Burke’s first match that he was witnessing a future star.
In particular, Frawley remembers Burke taking a ‘telling mark’ on the wing under heavy pressure from Richmond’s Jimmy Jess.
“Burkey held his head over the ball and just about got KO’d, but the ball stuck to his fingers.”
“You thought - ‘gee this kid’s going to go a long way’ - and of course he did.”
Having just lost by 80 points, Frawley put his Richmond hat back on for just a second and quipped: “I remember his first (game) vividly. I don’t think I’ll remember his last one too well.”
10:01:58 AM Sun 10 August, 2003
Jordan Chong
afl.com.au
St Kilda’s Nathan Burke is an 'icon' according to Richmond coach and former team mate Danny Frawley.
After unsuccessfully trying to derail St Kilda’s plans to give Burke a fitting farewell, Frawley was finally able to pay tribute to his team-mate of 10 years at Moorabbin.
Speaking at the after-match media conference at Telstra Dome, Frawley told reporters Burke was a ‘perfect example’ of someone who got the most out of their ability.
“He’s an icon. His family should be really proud of him – his parents, his wife and his kids – and more importantly football, not only St Kilda footy club but football in general,” he said.
“He’s just a perfect example of a guy that’s worked really hard. The way he goes about his footy, he was a real professional from a very tender age.”
“He’s infectious, his enthusiasm rubs off on to everyone. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he’s just an absolute beauty.”
Frawley added that one of Burke’s greatest disappointments upon retirement would be joining a long list of players to have ended a long and distinguished career without the ultimate prize – a flag.
“I know the way Nathan goes about it, he only plays for one reason and that’s to be a part of a premiership so unfortunately he’s joined a very unlucky club for guys that have played that amount of football and not played in a premiership.”
“I know there’s a void there with him. I know only too well with that one, but in saying that, all you can do is get the best out of yourself and he’s been able to do that.”
The former Saints full-back said he knew from Burke’s first match that he was witnessing a future star.
In particular, Frawley remembers Burke taking a ‘telling mark’ on the wing under heavy pressure from Richmond’s Jimmy Jess.
“Burkey held his head over the ball and just about got KO’d, but the ball stuck to his fingers.”
“You thought - ‘gee this kid’s going to go a long way’ - and of course he did.”
Having just lost by 80 points, Frawley put his Richmond hat back on for just a second and quipped: “I remember his first (game) vividly. I don’t think I’ll remember his last one too well.”
