After a disastrous sequence of losses, the Western Bulldogs fire their legendary AFL coach; nevertheless, the same day, a football great receives happy news after winning the lotto.
The Western Bulldogs, who finished seventh with a 7-3 record the previous season, only managed one win in 2023, against the humble West Coast in round 9. Burke was forced to call upon train-on players multiple times during the season as injuries rocked the Bulldogs’ roster, but he also bemoaned wider issues with fitness and professionalism among his players following early season losses to Melbourne and St Kilda. Burke has one year left on his contract as AFLW coach.
After the Saints’ round 10 loss to North Melbourne, the legendary player said he felt he had the players’ strong support to stay in the role and that he personally had the drive to rebuild after the disappointing season. The player played 323 games for the AFL club. His daughter Alice is a player for the Saints in the AFLW.
Burke is the third AFLW coach to leave this season; Michael Prior was fired by West Coast in round 9, and Steve Symonds was fired by Collingwood after the club missed the finals for the first time in five years.
Burke remarked, “I walk away content if I accomplished my purpose of making a difference in other people’s lives, and I thank the Western Bulldogs for that.”
‘I also want to thank the people of the west for embracing me as part of your club. I hope success is just around the corner for you.’ However, Burke received some good news, winning a modest $11.75 in the lottery later in the day. ‘Sacked in the morning…win Tatts in the arvo,’ he posted online. Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said Burke had played a ‘significant role’ for the club over the past five seasons, after taking over from inaugural coach Paul Groves. ‘(Burke) became our first full-time coach after leading the team to finals at the end of 2022, and has developed strong relationships with his staff and players during his tenure,’ Bains said.
