Multiple in-game injuries to his right hamstring interrupted Ryan Burton's first season for the Power, ruining what after the first month looked to be an enjoyable new role getting involved in quick rebounds. His best form is at least ten points better than his trailing average, or even higher if you respect his early rates when at Hawthorn. Burton was not required to stay close to a tall opponent by the Port coaching hierarchy, a freedom which allowed him to play his best game before the soft tissue knocks slowed him down. His upside is considerable if he makes good on a full preseason, so a good Marsh series will see someone in your league reach for him in middle rounds
Where ex-Hawks dare
Multiple in-game injuries to his right hamstring interrupted Ryan Burton's first season for the Power, ruining what after the first month looked to be an enjoyable new role getting involved in quick rebounds. His best form is at least ten points better than his trailing average, or even higher if you respect his early rates when at Hawthorn. Burton was not required to stay close to a tall opponent by the Port coaching hierarchy, a freedom which allowed him to play his best game before the soft tissue knocks slowed him down. His upside is considerable if he makes good on a full preseason, so a good Marsh series will see someone in your league reach for him in middle rounds
Burton comes in from the cold
After a second year in which he threatened to reach the top echelons of fantasy scorers across half back, Ryan Burton had a shocker in 2018 and was traded to Port in the off season. He passed 20 disposals three times from 21 games, despite averaging 21 the season before, and was down in pretty much every vital statistic. Was it the absence of Luke Hodge, the advent of James Sicily, or an ankle knock picked up in round 1 that caused Burton's derailment? Probably a combination. At Port he gets to start anew, and his role may move up the ground. His value is an open question, which may not be answered in the JLT. Worth a flier at worst.
Ryan Burton becomes even more important to the Hawthorn structure in 2018 post the injury to James Sicily. With no Sic-Dawg in the side, his role may well be to fill that role of the zone-off third tall defender, though he is perhaps better suited to seventh. Or he may switch depending on the flow of the game, similar to how Justin Westhoff is used at Port Adelaide. His statistical output is the question on the minds of his fantasy owners, and there are no guarantees that he will keep up his numbers. At least today provides an easy opponent... on paper.
Spurt on from Burton
The runner up in the 2017 Rising Star award had the Hawthorn faithful smiling ear to ear. Ryan Burton’s potential was perhaps best demonstrated in an away clash against the Crows, nailing two majors from beyond the arc in a rampant second term. His precision by foot quickly became a reliable weapon as the first round selection launched offensive raids from the back half, placing inside the top 30 in the league for rebound 50s. Primarily positioned in the midfield and forward as a junior, Burton effectively played CHB for large parts of last season with many of his teammates injured or moved to different parts of the ground. With the ageing Grant Birchall starting slowly in preseason, expect that trend to continue in 2018. Upside is significant, but the price will not be cheap. Selecting him as a second defender would be a reasonable outcome.
