Gold Coast Suns AFL debutants open up about their impending milestones

Melbourne will need to brace for an Adelaide invasion this weekend as Gold Coast Suns players Jack Lukosius and Chris Burgess prepare to make their AFL debut. The two players open up about the impending milestone and the road trip that awaits their family and friends.

MELBOURNE will need to brace for an Adelaide invasion this weekend as Gold Coast Suns players Jack Lukosius and Chris Burgess prepare to make their AFL debut.

Burgess’ mother has hired a bus and will drive eight hours from Adelaide to Melbourne with 10 family members to see her son play while over 10 more will fly in to see the mature-age recruit play against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Lukosius will also have family attend while his friends from Adelaide will also undergo the road trip.

“It will be special having them there,” Burgess said.

LIFE OF AN AFL PLAYER AGENT

SUNS BOSS ON SPORT’S CHALLENGES

SHARKS HOLD NEAFL MINI-DRAFT

The two have undertaken vastly different paths to the AFL. Lukosius was an under-18 All-Australian last year, a highly touted forward who was taken with pick two of last year’s draft.

Burgess, 23, was a late developer who only started to believe he could reach the AFL while playing for West Adelaide in the SANFL last year.

Jack Lukosius kicks during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Metricon Stadium on March 20, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Both secured their Round 1 starts after impressing in the JLT Series in the forward line.

Lukosius is still friends with his former under-18 underage representatives and was a keen observer of Sam Walsh’s successful debut for Carlton on Thursday night.

The 18-year-old said he hadn’t felt the weight of expectation that comes with his high draft pick but hoped to make the same impact as Walsh.

Chris Burgess of the Suns is challenged by Callum Mills of the Swans during the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast Suns at Oakes Oval on March 10, 2019 in Lismore, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“I’m really good mates with nearly every kid who has been picked up,” Lukosius said.

“I was watching over the JLT everyone performing really well and Walsh (against Richmond).

“He is a star and it’s been good to watch him. Hopefully I can play my part on Sunday.”

Burgess said it was about making the most of his opportunity after being given a lifeline through the concessions given to the Suns.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY

“Coming into it I probably wasn’t expecting to play Round 1,” Burgess said.

“I was just the new guy to the club and I’ve just been trying to work hard and get to know the structures and the way we play.

“I’m hoping to play my role for the team (on Sunday), whether that is taking marks and kicking some goals or getting the ball down for the crumbers.”