Scott Burns (footballer)

Scott Burns (born 23 December 1974) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for and captained the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Burns currently serves as the midfield coach of the Collingwood Football Club.

Originally from Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League, Burns was drafted by the Collingwood Football Club with the 90th selection in the 1992 National Draft. He made his début in 1995, two years after being drafted, after moving from South Australia. He played every game except one for the season. In 1996 when he came second in Collingwood's best and fairest award and also represented South Australia in State of Origin. In 1997 he suffered a groin injury which forced him to only manage fourteen games, and then early on in 1998 he missed most of the first half of the season due to a broken arm.

He was appointed vice captain in 1999. In 2001 he was once again forced out with re-occurring hamstring injuries, and was limited to eight games. Collingwood made the Grand Final in 2002 and Burns played a magnificent season, coming runner-up in the best and fairest once again. As a veteran of the club, he was only experiencing his first final when he played against Port Adelaide. He had 505 disposals for the season and was a dominant midfielder and forward, kicking twenty eight goals in the season. In 2003 he came third in the best and fairest. Injuries once again got hold of Burns in 2004 but he still managed to play nineteen games. He played every game in the 2005 season.

In March 2008, Scott Burns was appointed Collingwood captain for the 2008 season, replacing Nathan Buckley.