Burns Tipped To Head West

The Age

Thursday October 2, 2008

Digby Beacham

WEST Coast appears to have won the race to acquire retiring Collingwood captain Scott Burns as an assistant coach.

The Age understands that the 264-game veteran, who announced his retirement last week before flying to Perth with his wife Jessica less than 48 hours later, will nominate the Eagles as his preferred club to launch a coaching career.

If successful, West Coast will have beaten off Carlton, Geelong, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

It's believed Burns was lured to the Eagles with a package in excess of $250,000 and the opportunity to work in a revamped football department.

Eagles officials were last night uncertain on what Burns and his management had decided, but admitted nothing had changed since late last week to dent their optimism about securing the respected midfielder to round out their football department.

The 33-year-old is not expected to make an announcement on his future until after Collingwood's club champion awards function, the prestigious Copeland Trophy, at Crown Casino tomorrow night.

© 2008 The Age

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