The Seven-Month Exile: Burgess's Journey from Forgotten Man to Jets' Leader
Mark Milligan was not worried about Max Burgess being sidelined at Sydney FC for seven months. When they first met, the new Jets coach immediately recognized Burgess's strong desire not only to regain his previous form but to improve even further.
Burgess will face his former club Sydney FC—and his previous coach, Ufuk Talay—for the first time since leaving Moore Park, as the Jets host the Sky Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. The midfielder is currently performing at his career best.
"I played against Max and have known Max for a long time," Milligan said. "I had a clear vision about what I thought Max's role would be here. Part of that was bringing through and showing the young ones what it takes to be a professional.
What he did go through [in Sydney] was not easy. The way he went about things—he stayed professional and kept working. When I brought him in here, he was in good shape and had a hunger.
The first time I sat down with Max, I saw the hunger in him to get back to the player he knew he could be and go on from there to become better."
At 30 years old, Burgess had only made three appearances in his last season at Sydney FC, a year when the Sky Blues failed to reach the finals. In contrast, he had averaged 24 appearances per season in his earlier years at his hometown club.
Author's summary: Max Burgess transformed from a sidelined player to a key leader at the Jets by maintaining professionalism and hunger to improve.