The stats

AFL games: 4

Disposals per game: 10.2

Marks: 3.8

Kicks: 7.5

Tackles: 1.8

Goals: 1

Review

There was plenty of excitement from Hawthorn fans when Burton broke into the AFL side late in the season.

After breaking his leg at the end of 2014 and falling down the pecking order in draft calculations, Burton was taken by the Hawks with pick 19 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after being talked up as a potential top-10 selection before his injury.

Alastair Clarkson clearly rates Burton’s ability and he appears to be a star in the making, if some of his actions at AFL level are anything to go by.

Having played forward in his first two games in the AFL, Burton was then swung into defence, playing arguably his best game of 2016 against Collingwood in Round 23.

He also started brightly against Geelong in the Hawks’ qualifying final, before a calf injury sidelined him for the rest of the game and subsequently the rest of the season.

If Burton can get a full pre-season under his belt and remain healthy, there is no limit to what 2017 could hold for the 19-year-old.

A word from: Adem Yze

“Burto came into the backline later in the year when he was over his leg injury and slotted in nicely.

“He’s got some x-factor about him – his poise and ability to mark the ball is a feature and his ball use is something that we really admire.

“We’re hoping for Ryan to have a big pre-season – whether it’s playing in the forward line or back line next year.

“We can see him having a really strong season in 2017 and adding to the AFL games he played this year, which would be terrific.”