AFL Draft: Behind the growth of the Jets’ first-round prospect

It's half-time on an away trip to a cold and windy Ballarat and the Western Jets trail by 41 points.

With several opponents dominating and aspects of the Jets' game faltering, there's next to no prospect of victory for the visiting team.

Old Tom Burton would have struggled in that scenario: self-deprecation would have sapped his enjoyment of the second half, likely reflecting in a poor individual finish.

But there's a mature, level-headed nature to the Point Cook local now which has him enjoying his footy.

It's down to an increased focus on his mindset, with the 2024 Caulfield Grammar graduate having 2025 to improve himself holistically as an athlete and person.

“If you saw me a couple of years ago I really struggled…even now, I get frustrated but it's just about moving on from things when you're frustrated,” the first-round draft prospect told Zero Hanger's Craft of the Draft.

“You're allowed to be frustrated as long as you move on.

“I didn't believe in any of it until I tried it and I was really angry all the time with footy so I started journaling.

“I'll write in what I did well, what I did wrong and work on it and once it's on the page, I don't need to worry about it so it's out of my thoughts. And I have mental resets out there, so I'll say something to myself.

“That mental work is so powerful, I think whoever doesn't do it is missing out, because it helps me think clearly out there.

“I used to get fixated on mistakes and errors in game and now if I make a mistake, I move on.”

The upshot of that off-field preparation and balance?

His stocks have risen considerably, with Sunday's performance against the GWV Rebels adding to a catalogue of strong games in 2025, where he has averaged 33 disposals for the Jets alongside two strong showings for the AFL Academy.

Burton's running power, speed and decision-making have killed opponents in 2025.

It comes after a scrappy Round 1 performance which had Burton questioning himself.

“I was distraught about how I played, and I thought I might not be good enough for the next level but [Jets coach Christian Stagliano] said ‘stuff that you are good enough, just move on and get better',” Burton recalled.

“Once I started to do the mental work, I noticed my in-game stuff go through the roof. Today, I have that confidence to drive the ball with my legs.

“Sometimes I don't even know where I'm going, I just take a bounce and take off but having that confidence is really crucial.”

As he was battling those thoughts, Burton was also charged with skippering the side, a responsibility that has landed well on his shoulders.

All his teammates get warmth and affection.

‘Keep an eye on this kid,' he says of one teammate walking past the interview; ‘this guy needs more recognition' he says of another.

Conversations with Stagliano have diversified his leadership style.

“I've always wanted to win but I went about it the wrong way last year and even the start of this year,” Burton admitted.

“I'm hard on myself so I was hard on my teammates but I've noticed pretty quickly that being hard on someone else might not work for them mentally.

“Everyone reacts differently to how you act so if I set an example, a lot of people will follow.

“I've really been trying to be as positive as possible because I think people react a lot better to positivity than negativity.”

Burton's Round 1 doubt came off the back of a significantly interrupted pre-season with Osteitis Pubis and adductor tendinopathy.

The Western Bulldogs supporter got to train with the red and blue in pre-season, meeting heroes like Marcus Bontempelli, but was significantly limited in his physical output.

While Burton had previously attempted to invest time into his mindset, the time on the sidelines placed an emphasis on, and gave him time to, properly do the work required to set himself up.

“It's such an advantage,” Burton said.

“This year especially, when I go out on the field, I don't worry about the draft or what everyone else thinks of me and instead think about helping the team win.

“Going in with that mindset rather than thinking ‘what if I stuff this up' is a crazy difference.

“The enjoyment I took for granted, and then injury came last year and you play with so much more freedom when you enjoy the game.

“Today, I was just loving being out there.”

The absence of a schooling structure is one a handful of prospects face every year, with Gold Coast Academy's Beau Addinsall and Vic Metro's Xavier Bamert among others who have finished school in this year's crop.

It underlines the significance of Burton's mental investment in himself, with a series of past players struggling to strike a balance when schooling is not a forced distraction in their top-aged year.

Burton breaks from the traditional mould of a likely soon-to-be professional sportsman. He loves footy but won't let it define his identity.

That separation of football and life has been an important stabiliser for Burton.

Rather than scrolling an interminable diet of social media and AFL Draft hot takes, he has found himself healthier pastimes.

“I've been reading a lot about property and things to do with money because the thing about AFL is if you get there and use your money properly, you're set up for life and then my Dad had books from ages ago,” Burton said.

“Because I grew up in the western suburbs, a lot of people around me grow up and get a job and work really hard and then at the end of it have (nothing) to show for it and I don't want that to be me.

“We don't struggle for money, but we can't go wherever we want whenever we want and then I went to Caulfield Grammar where it's such a different life. That's why I really got into it.

“I read Rich Dad Poor Dad and have been reading Michael Yardney and I'm looking to start my Bachelor of Commerce soon.”

Burton shares the midfield at the Western Jets with Collingwood father-son prospect Tom McGuane, with the latter's status somewhat overshadowing Burton's brilliance.

They form arguably the country's best junior one-two midfield punch, with their skillsets complementing each other beautifully.

“We've been working together for a while now,” Burton said.

“We got pretty heated in U16s, coming together; two people who want to just win and do as well as possible.

“His experience is really good with Collingwood and you can tell Tommy has a really good IQ for footy.

“He just knows where to go and how to move and how to work with players like me and for me going to that next level, that is crucial.”

While his talent makes him a mainstay in the Jets engine room for as long as he likes, half-back looks to be Burton's spot at the next level, allowing him to use his pace to break lines and creativity to set the game up.

It's where he played for the AFL Academy and almost certainly will be his spot for Vic Metro at the National Championships.

Stagliano, to whom Burton credits much of his growth, has been taken by Burton's talent since arriving at the club in the off-season.

“The support he's shown for his teammates has been outstanding in a young team,” The Western coach said.

“Watching vision with him, he's drawing other guys in and trying to teach them and help guys out with their positioning, I can't speak highly enough of him in that space.

“He's quick, super fit, strong, he runs with the ball.”