Ryan Burton

Drafted by Hawthorn with pick 19 in the 2015 National Draft, Ryan Burton was widely viewed as a top-five talent who slid down the order only due to a severe leg injury sustained in his final year of junior football. He quickly repaid the Hawks' faith, overcoming the setback to deliver a breakout 2017 season where he finished runner-up in the Rising Star award. His time in brown and gold ended abruptly, however, when he became the central piece of a high-profile trade that sent Chad Wingard to Hawthorn. Despite not initially seeking a move, Burton returned to his native South Australia to join Port Adelaide ahead of the 2019 season.

At Alberton, Burton established himself as a classy medium defender, renowned for his elite kicking skills and ability to read the play. Often tasked with guarding dynamic forwards, he balanced his defensive duties with a natural instinct for intercept marking and rebounding from the back half. Although his momentum was occasionally stalled by soft-tissue injuries, he remained a consistent figure in the Power's best 22 during their years of contention. His versatility and composure allowed him to serve as a reliable link man in transition, finishing his seven-year stint at the club with over 160 career games.