The seven-month exile: Burgess's journey from forgotten man to Jets' leader
Mark Milligan, the new coach of the Jets, was never worried about Max Burgess being sidelined for seven months at Sydney FC. During their first meeting, Milligan immediately noticed the determination in Burgess’s eyes—the desire not only to return to his best form but to surpass it.
Facing his old club
This weekend, Burgess will face Sydney FC and his former coach Ufuk Talay for the first time since leaving Moore Park, when the Jets host the Sky Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium. The dynamic midfielder enters the match in the strongest form of his career.
Coach’s confidence
"I played against Max and have known him for a long time," Milligan said. "I had a clear vision of what his role would be here. Part of that is showing the younger players what it means to be professional."
"What he went through in Sydney was not easy. He stayed professional and kept working. When I brought him in, he was fit and hungry. The first time I sat down with him, I saw his determination to get back to the player he knew he could be and to grow even further."
Burgess’s redemption
Now 30, Burgess made only three appearances in his final season with Sydney FC, a campaign that saw the Sky Blues miss the finals. Before that, he had averaged 24 appearances per season for his boyhood club, showing both consistency and dedication to his craft.
Author’s summary
After months of frustration, Max Burgess has transformed his career through resilience and professionalism, becoming a driving force for the Jets and a model for younger players.