Ryan Burton admits he wasn’t aware he would be omitted from the Port Adelaide side for last weekend’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Aside from missing two weeks due to suspension in Rounds 3 and 4, Burton had played the other 10 matches for the Power in the lead-up to the Marvel Stadium meeting with the Dogs.
Burton, who appeared on SEN SA’s The Run Home last week, admitted he was none the wiser when he was told he wouldn’t be playing in Round 13.
“I found out (last) Wednesday morning and I had no idea when I was talking to you guys,” Burton said.
“I was expecting to play on (Cody) Weightman or get a role like that. I was looking forward to the big Friday night clash.
“I didn’t think I was going to be watching it from home.”
Burton gave some insight into his post-game review with defence coach Nathan Bassett after the win over Hawthorn in Round 12 and how it was not as glowing as he would have liked.
“It wasn’t great, just purely with that second half and running out of legs,” he added.
“The offence stuff in the first half was good but obviously not enough of it.
“So I might have had a slight inkling that he wasn’t overly impressed with the whole four quarters. But I thought with such a big win and nine in a row, I thought I should be alright and I’ll try and bounce back the next week.”
The former Hawk then revealed what Ken Hinkley said to him.
The Port coach hasn’t been afraid to keep captain Tom Jonas out of the team this year and that is the situation he used as a reference point for Burton as the club chased 10 straight wins.
“Ken spoke to me and he said, ‘If we can drop the captain, we can drop anyone’,” he said.
“‘We need to set high standards here. Everyone is playing pretty well’.
“I guess I was the unlucky one that week.”
Despite the disappointment, the 26-year-old picked up 21 disposals and five rebound 50s in just over a half for the Magpies in the SANFL.
He now expects to be selected for the Power’s massive clash with Geelong on Thursday night after being rested early in the second half last weekend.
“It was nice to get a tap on the shoulder as you’re walking out for the second half just to say you’ll be on the bench after the first five or 10 minutes,” Burton added.
“Just to rest up and put your hand up for the quick turnaround game.”
There is a spot open in Port’s defence following the jaw injury sustained by Lachie Jones.
The Power occupy second spot on the ladder with a record of 11-2 which they will look to improve when they host the ninth-placed Cats at the Adelaide Oval to kick off Round 14.