On Monday, Burton became the third Crow behind skipper Simon Goodwin and midfielder Tyson Edwards to announce his retirement this season.
Burton and Goodwin have both opted to play out the year, whereas Edwards decided to hang up the boots after playing one last game in Crows colours against Fremantle in round 11.
Burton has only managed six games this season because of a persistent knee injury and is still three weeks away from a return in the SANFL, but the 32-year-old said he never contemplated walking away from the game mid-season.
“I made a commitment to the playing group at the start of the year that regardless of form or injury, I’d play out the whole year, and that commitment hasn’t changed,” Burton said on Monday.
“It’s exciting for me to get back and play for the sheer fact that I enjoy playing footy and want to show some leadership to the rest of the group, and help this group to continue to improve for the rest of the year.
“I’m looking forward to playing some strong competitive footy and putting pressure back on the footy club staff to pick me and play back here.”
Coach Neil Craig was initially reluctant to grant Edwards a farewell game, but quickly came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of both the player and the club to give the 300-game veteran a chance to say goodbye.
On Monday, Craig ruled out gifting Burton a similar farewell, and the high-flying forward was quick to point out that he wouldn’t ask the club for any favours.
“I don’t want to be given a game. I want to earn the game on my own rights, and if I’m not good enough to be in the best 22, I’ll play at the (Woodville-West Torrens) Eagles,” Burton said.
“If I have to play at the Eagles then I’ll just enjoy my footy, because that’s what it’s about for me now. I’d like to think that I’m still good enough to play at the [AFL] level, and I’ll prove that for the rest of the year.”
