AFL trade news: Sun Chris Burgess seeking move to Adelaide Crows

A Sun from South Australia has informed the Gold Coast he is looking to head home, and after lingering in the VFL for two seasons, is seeking a move to rejuvenate his career.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: Chris Burgess of the Suns runs the ball during the round two AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Gold Coast key forward Chris Burgess has informed the club of his desire to be traded to Adelaide.

The 27-year-old, who has one year left to run on his Suns contract, has played just three AFL games in the past two seasons and prefers a return home to South Australia.

Burgess has not handed in a formal trade request, however this masthead understands both he and the club are open to facilitating a move when the trade period officially opens on Monday.

A back-to-back Frosty Miller Medallist, Burgess topped the VFL goal kicking table for the past two seasons, booting 103 regular season goals as the focal point of Gold Coast’s forward line.

Chris Burgess wants to move to the Crows. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

He spearheaded the Suns’ charge to the VFL premiership last month – kicking 10 goals in three finals appearances – and has now told the club he wants to continue his career elsewhere.

Given Burgess is a contracted player for 2024 and a solid key position depth option, the club is not desperate to ship him off and would welcome him back next season if a trade does not eventuate.

Burgess joined Gold Coast via West Adelaide as a 2018 pre-draft selection. He boasts 36 AFL starts over four seasons but fell out of favour in the past two years.

The arrival of Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult ahead of the 2022 season made cracking the senior side difficult and it only got harder this year when Ben King returned from a knee injury and Jack Lukosius became a permanent forward.

With the Suns set to add boom Academy key forward Jed Walter in the upcoming AFL draft, Burgess’ senior opportunities were set to suffer even further in 2024.

The 191cm tall is able to play at both ends of the ground and would be a welcome addition to the Crows’ key position stocks, particularly if in-demand defender Tom Doedee chooses to depart.