Sharks forward Billy Burns has declared his time navigating the ups and downs of life as a rugby league journeyman has prepared him for his post-season debut on Saturday night.
A veteran who had stints at the Panthers and Dragons before arriving at Cronulla last year, Burns is set for his first finals game six years after making his NRL debut in Round 24, 2019.
Burns has experienced rugby league's highs and lows in that time, battling a number of injuries and struggling for playing time in the top flight. There have also been plenty of good moments and he celebrated a reserve grade premiership with Newtown last year.
Billy Burns Try
It's that experience with the Jets that's giving the 26-year-old confidence leading into Saturday night's elimination final against the Roosters at Sharks Stadium.
"They call it a roller coaster for a reason," Burns told NRL.com. "Reflecting back on it and looking at the journey, it's pretty special to be here. I'm grateful for the support network I had around me during the tougher times.
"I'm trying to cherish the moment with such a good group of boys and a good coaching staff and it's cool to be here.
"Managing the nerves is the main thing for this week, then channelling that excitement so I don't play the game in my head. I didn't do that last year and it worked well in NSW Cup. We had a big game last week and that gave me a lot of confidence that I'll be ready to go on Saturday night."
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Burns emerged as a future star from the western NSW town of Parkes, with the youngster playing Australian Schoolboys and leading Penrith to the SG Ball title in 2016.
The forward progressed through the Panthers Under 20s program before making his NRL debut late in the 2019 season. Opportunities quickly dried up and he was granted an early release from his contract in early 2021 to join the Dragons.
Three years with St George Illawarra followed, but Burns continued to battle for playing time in the top flight. There were moments, he concedes, when the doubt started to creep in.
Billy Burns try 57th minute
"There's times that you doubt yourself," Burns said. "Even last year when I wasn't playing too many games, but it gave me time to invest in myself and invest in my footy.
"I was always confident in my ability but I matured late. Maturing late and realising the position you're in, I had to attack every day and not dwell on the low times. I've grown a lot in that area and it's coming through in my footy."
Cronulla offered Burns a lifeline prior to last season but opportunities in the top flight remained limited throughout 2024.
Instead, the forward led the Newtown Jets to a NSW Cup premiership before a shoulder injury to Teig Wilton opened the door for an NRL call up in Round 8.
Burns made the most of the opportunity and has become a mainstay in the side this year. The 26-year-old's performances haven't gone unnoticed, with captain Blayke Brailey praising the veteran for lifting the mood around the team.
"He's great for the club," Brailey said. "He's the ultimate clubman. If he plays or he doesn't play, he's happy, he's joking around, buzzing around the club and he plays like that.
"He makes training fun and he's playing outstanding at the moment. He's playing really well on that right edge and taken that spot with both hands. I'm excited to see how he performs on the weekend."
Burns is currently loving life on and off the field.
The forward is engaged and due to get married the week after the grand final, while he also recently finished a real estate course as he plans for life after football.
Burns' journey highlights the varied paths players take to the NRL and the forward said it's a reminder of the importance of a long-term focus when developing emerging talent.
"It just shows that not everyone's timeline's the same," Burns said. "People these days can be quick to rule someone out and I was on that trajectory at one point.
"I was glad I had the great support network that pulled me through and they gave me belief. I kept believing in myself and then just kicked on now and I'm just doing my part in the team. I'm not trying to do anything special, just playing my game and it's working well."
