Newcastle Jets midfielder Max Burgess is set to face his former club Sydney FC for the first time since leaving Moore Park, after a seven-month period where he was frozen out of the Sky Blues' first team. The 30-year-old made just three appearances in his final season at Sydney, a stark contrast to his previous average of 24 games per season at his boyhood club.
Jets coach Mark Milligan said he was not concerned about Burgess's lack of game time at Sydney, noting the hunger he saw in the player from their first meeting. 'He stayed professional and kept working,' Milligan said. 'When I brought him in here, he was in good shape and had a hunger. He wanted to keep going.'
Burgess has since become a key figure for the Jets, winning the Mark Viduka Medal in the Australia Cup final and carrying that form into the A-League season. He helped the team to a stunning 5-2 victory over Melbourne Victory in round two, following a narrow 3-2 loss to the Mariners in round one.
Despite the reunion with his former boss Ufuk Talay, Burgess said he has nothing to prove. 'I don't have anything to prove. I am taking it as another game of football,' he said. 'It is a different chapter in my career, being one of the senior players. I really enjoy that part so far.'
Milligan emphasized the importance of consistency, noting that last season the Jets only managed consecutive wins once. 'The effort last week has to be the minimum for us,' he said. Sydney FC, who finished seventh last season, have been revamped with three new imports and several returning Australian talents.
'Historically, Sydney are a very good side,' Milligan said. 'But in terms of performance and results, it shouldn't make a difference. I back every player in our squad to compete against anyone.'
