Adelaide’s new High Performance Manager Darren Burgess has a wealth of experience working with young players and helping them reach their full potential.
Burgess will arrive at West Lakes after spending the past two seasons with the 2021 premiers Melbourne.
He guided rising stars at the Demons including Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers and Luke Jackson who, in just their second AFL seasons, became premiership players.
Speaking to AFC Media, after being appointed to the role, Burgess said he was keen to tap into that potential of youngsters at the Crows.
Burgess will arrive at West Lakes after spending the past two seasons with the 2021 premiers Melbourne.
He guided rising stars at the Demons including Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers and Luke Jackson who, in just their second AFL seasons, became premiership players.
Speaking to AFC Media, after being appointed to the role, Burgess said he was keen to tap into that potential of youngsters at the Crows.
Burgess said he was also keen to return to South Australia to reunite with his children.
“From the game played in Adelaide when the Crows actually beat the Dees, I know there’s a lot of exciting young talent there,” Burgess said.
“I’m looking forward to working with them one-on-one and as a group and trying to help the other staff in maximising the talent that is there.
“My kids are in Adelaide. Harry who is 10, and Millie who is 9, have already met Nicksy and his lovely partner Courtney and their kids, so we are looking forward to integrating into the Crows family.”
Burgess, who also worked with English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool, said building a strong side on and off the field would take time.
But he was keen to begin that journey at the Crows.
“I came to Melbourne… when the Club had just finished 17h and it was at a pretty low point, especially to go from playing in a prelim final to follow that up with second last (in 2019).
“The Club (Melbourne) rebounded really well by knowing that it wasn’t going to be a really short turn around, but knowing that eventually it was going to turn around and that’s exactly what happened.
“This year, watching whatever Crows games I could, it seemed like they were really working hard and, in most games, even against more fancied opponents.
“I am excited to take those guys to a new level.”
“From the game played in Adelaide when the Crows actually beat the Dees, I know there’s a lot of exciting young talent there,” Burgess said.
“I’m looking forward to working with them one-on-one and as a group and trying to help the other staff in maximising the talent that is there.
“My kids are in Adelaide. Harry who is 10, and Millie who is 9, have already met Nicksy and his lovely partner Courtney and their kids, so we are looking forward to integrating into the Crows family.”
Burgess, who also worked with English Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool, said building a strong side on and off the field would take time.
But he was keen to begin that journey at the Crows.
“I came to Melbourne… when the Club had just finished 17h and it was at a pretty low point, especially to go from playing in a prelim final to follow that up with second last (in 2019).
“The Club (Melbourne) rebounded really well by knowing that it wasn’t going to be a really short turn around, but knowing that eventually it was going to turn around and that’s exactly what happened.
“This year, watching whatever Crows games I could, it seemed like they were really working hard and, in most games, even against more fancied opponents.
“I am excited to take those guys to a new level.”
