Erina Eagles winger Riley Burke stars as the club makes the grand final

He’s just 17 years old and 70 kilos wringing wet. But Erina’s Riley Burke has been a giant for the Eagles in their charge to the grand final.

When it comes to wingers, the old saying goes that they’re just people who hang out with footballers.

And while it’s often the halves, the fullback or barnstorming forwards who usually get all the plaudits when a team qualifies for the grand final, Erina have an unsung hero in young winger Riley Burke to thank for playing a key role in getting the side to the big dance.

The 17-year-old, who only made his first grade debut in round two, has been an absolute revelation for the Eagles in his rookie year, scoring an incredible 21 tries throughout the regular season to finish as the competition’s leading tryscorer, a whopping seven clear of Woy Woy’s Ashton Carroll in second.

“He’s an unbelievable talent,” said Erina coach Dane Allen.

“He’s 17, he can’t even come into our leagues club for the presentations without an adult, but he’s finished top tryscorer for the year and has been incredible for us.”

Riley Burke has been a revelation for Erina this season. Picture: Jodie Ward

Burke’s extensive highlights for the season include scoring four against Berkeley Vale in round seven and following it up with a hat-trick against Kincumber the very next week.

And as his coach explains, it simply hasn’t been a case of just catching the ball and falling over the tryline.

“Some of the tries he’s scored this year have been incredible, the margins for error have been so small,” said Allen.

This was well and truly on display in last weekend’s 24-16 major semi-final win against Toukley, with Burke pulling out a moment of brilliance in a crucial part of the second half.

“We put in a cross for him, he jumps up over their winger and puts the ball down 10 centimetres inside the touchline. There was no margin for error – he just comes up with the play.

“The week before he scored a try in a clutch moment in the middle of the field. Mate, you’re a winger, what are you doing in there?” laughs Allen.

“He just knows where the ball’s going to be. I’ve seen some good ones, but he’s right up there.”

The 17-year-old scored 21 tries in the regular season. Photo: Alex Pichaloff.

What perhaps makes Burke’s rise all the more incredible is that he doesn’t fit the prototype of the modern winger.

With a frame that more closely resembles a whippet than a pit bull, Burke is in many ways a throwback to the wingers of decades past.

“If you looked at him, he’s 70 kilos wringing wet, but there’s no substitute for speed, and this kid’s got it,” said Allen.

In fact, given his size, the Erina coach has said he found himself having to explain why he first selected the winger in his team at the beginning of the season.

“When I picked him some people asked me about it,” Allen said. “I said some of the worst players to play against are the small blokes with really fast feet, and this kid is better than anything I ever played against. He’s a freak. He might only be 17 but he’s most certainly good enough.”

He added: “I think a lot of the development pathways get caught up in what the big-ticket stereotypes are, and those kids outside the box are going to be left by the wayside and we’re going to lose them to the game because the opportunities aren’t given to them, so I’d hate to see that with young Burkey.”

Erina has booked its spot in the grand final after a come-from-behind victory over Toukley in the major semi-final. Picture: Sue Graham

In fact, Allen saw first-hand in the pre-season just how Burke defied the stereotypes of his size and set himself apart from other trialists by being able to handle the physicality of A-grade football.

“The thing that surprised me so much is that he’s just so tough,” he said.

“When it comes to the bloke taking the tough carry out of his own 20, here’s old Burkey taking it up and getting belted, and these other blokes were nowhere in sight.”

And while it takes more than one player to win a premiership, Allen wouldn’t be surprised if his young star stepped up and grabbed the moment once again should the opportunity arise in next weekend’s grand final.

“It’s about opportunities, and every time this kid gets one he capitalises on it.”