Former Sydney FC midfielder Max Burgess has the chance to gain the ultimate revenge on the Sky Blues by helping Newcastle knock them out of the A-League finals series.
However, Burgess, who was frozen out by the Sky Blues last season, insists payback is the furthest thing from his mind ahead of the two-legged Newcastle-Sydney semi-final starting at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
“There is no resent or ill feeling from me,” said Burgess, who joined the Jets ahead of their 2025-26 campaign after making just three appearances for Sydney last season under then Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay.
“I’m really happy where I am, and I’m really privileged to be part of this Jets playing group.
“My motivation is to get better, improve every day and be the best version of myself when I come into training. That’s been the mentality of the entire group.
“We’ve seen the growth of absolutely every player, and the motivation comes from the day-to-day work and enjoying football and wanting to get better.
“That will remain for me and the group.”
Perhaps Talay’s departure as Sydney coach in March, when he was replaced by Patrick Kisnorbo, means that Burgess will have less to prove over the semi-final’s two legs.
However, his former Sydney teammates, including goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares, are well aware of the damage the 31-year-old ex-Sky Blue can cause.
“He’ll put his all into the games,” Devenish-Meares said of Burgess.
“He’s a true old-school footballer. On the big occasions, he’s the kind of player that will step up to the plate and perform well for them.
“I’m expecting a challenge with ‘Maxy’ and I’m excited to be playing against him.”
Burgess is part of a Mark Milligan-coached Jets team that this season has already won the Australia Cup and A-League premiership, with the latter success having also earnt them a spot in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite competition.
He has also donned the captain’s armband on several occasions when regular Jets skipper Kosta Grozos hasn’t been part of the starting team.
“It’s a group that’s very easy to work with because the personalities are so selfless and the energy is so collective, so regardless of the captaincy, it’s a privilege to go to war with these boys every weekend,” Burgess said.
“Being an older player here, there is an opportunity in that to also grow as a person, and I’ve really enjoyed not only the footballing aspect but also the day-to-day things and seeing the growth of everyone.
“The great thing about this group is how together we are.”
Originally published as Max Burgess insists revenge not on his mind as he faces old club Sydney FC
