Brody Burkitt has never been afraid to do things the hard way.
His journey to Adelaide United has been built on persistence, sacrifice and a willingness to work when nobody is watching – and now, with an opportunity opening up in the Reds’ attack, the young forward is ready to take his chance.
Burkitt’s pathway has been different to many of his teammates. He wasn’t always part of the traditional development system and had to force his way into the professional environment through performances, hard work and sheer determination.
At one stage, while recovering from an ankle injury during his early days around United, Burkitt would make the lengthy trip to training simply to watch.
“I did travel about two hours, an hour and a half here and back, because it’s something that I wanted,” Burkitt said.
“I came out here to watch and learn, watch training and see what [the coaches] wanted.
“By watching, you learn a lot.”
It is an insight into the mentality that has carried Burkitt from junior football to the brink of a significant opportunity at senior level.
“My work ethic, my desire, the sacrifice I can take to do my dream – this was my dream. This is what I wanted,” he said.
Burkitt admits missing out on some of the representative pathways earlier in his career ultimately added fuel to his ambition.
“It’s also a blessing in disguise because it just made me hungry for this opportunity where I am now,” he said.
“I make sure I do work hard off the pitch, especially when no one’s watching.
“I don’t want to cheat myself. I want to get the best out of myself. I want to be the best, and to be the best, you’ve got to work hard.”
That mentality is particularly relevant heading into the new campaign.
After Archie Goodwin and Luka Jovanović led United’s scoring charts across the previous two seasons before earning moves overseas, there is an opportunity for another forward to establish themselves at the point of United’s attack.
Burkitt makes no secret of his ambition.
“My goal is obviously to be top goalscorer and score goals and get assists,” he said.
“But I want to win. I want to do great things for this team and this Club.”
Asked directly about the opportunity to step into the role previously occupied by some of Adelaide’s most productive young forwards, Burkitt was equally assured.
“A lot of big shoes to step in, I guess, but I’m ready to step in their boots,” he said.
“If I can get my body right and stay fit and look after myself, I can definitely accomplish what they’ve done.
“It drives me to fill those boots, but I’m just going to take every game as it comes and try and score.”
And if increased expectation comes with that opportunity, Burkitt is more than comfortable with it.
In fact, he welcomes it.
“I like pressure,” he said.
“You’ve got to have pressure because if you don’t have pressure, what’s there to get?
“If there’s no pressure, there’s nothing to work hard for. There’s nothing to achieve.
“I’m really blessed to do what I’m doing for a living and I’m not going to take that for granted.
“It’s cutthroat, and I know that. If I put all my hard work and everything into this, I will have no regrets.”
For all the ambition and intensity behind his football, Burkitt remains refreshingly relaxed away from it.
A self-described “beachy” who jokes that some might call him a “bogan”, Burkitt says there is little complicated about life away from the pitch.
“I’m just like everyone else,” he said.
“Just a normal guy who plays what he loves.”
Although, if the goals start flowing this season, supporters might get to see another side of him.
Speaking about the new Reds kit, Burkitt joked: “I might have to take it off again if I score a goal.”
Whether he follows through on that celebration remains to be seen.
What is already clear is that Burkitt is ready for the opportunity in front of him — and he certainly isn’t afraid of the pressure that comes with it.
