Fast forward to 2021, and the next time Burdett will run out onto the field for the 500th time at a high level, for Willunga in the Great Southern Football League.

"I've always just wanted to play in the highest competition I could play in," Burdett said.

One of the highlights of his early years was playing alongside his father.

"That was always a great experience. I'm sure he felt the same as well," he said.

From his beginnings with Hopetoun, Burdett went onto play for the Horsham Saints and North Ballarat Rebels, before he was recruited by the Port Adelaide Magpies to play in the SANFL.

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However the adjustment wasn't always easy for the tough onballer and half-forward.

"I'd played a couple of years at the Saints and at the TAC Cup, but moving from that level to my first year in Adelaide was definitely a jump up," Burdett said.

"First playing in the reserves, and then it was good to have an opportunity to have a crack at the league which was another step up. It was a great experience.

"I lived with a family in Semaphore for a couple of years when I moved over, then eventually moved out with a couple of footy guys."

Burdett played with the Magpies until 2004, before moving to Glenelg via a stint at the Goodwood Saints.

He's remained in South Australia, however it hasn't stopped him returning to his roots, first for Hopetoun in 2010 and then the Southern Mallee Giants in 2015 and 2019.

"I enjoyed it," he said.

"I love to get back home. In 2010 I was able to play a full season for Hopetoun and had the opportunity to play with my brother Clint.

"It was quite a good year, although it obviously involved a bit of travel from Adelaide to Hopetoun every week.

"But I love going back home, seeing family and friends that I grew up with. Hopetoun is a great place to go back to."

Burdett won the Hopetoun Best & Fairest award during his time in Victoria, and even was selected to represent Vic Country in a six game series in Canberra.

Playing interleague football is something that has consistently been a highlight for Burdett, from his days in Victoria.

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"Once I left SANFL, the highest from there was playing at state level in all the interleague games, and being selected in the state side," he said.

"The opportunity to play for your state, not many people get that opportunity. I just really enjoy it. It's been a great privilege, playing top quality footy against other states."

But it's the camaraderie and the people that has kept Burdett playing football after 499 games.

"There's so many great families that have been involved in the clubs I've been around," he said.

"Where I am now at Willunga, I've been there for ten years now. It's just a great family club, I've met so many great people.

"It's the community aspect of country football that I love. It's good to be around."

It's the atmosphere and his love of the game that keeps Burdett playing, something he doesn't think he will stop any time soon.

"I'm just taking it year by year at the moment, even week by week," he said.

"Maybe in a few years I'll play for the reserves and relax a little."

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