Luke Burt - NRL Career

NRL Career

Burt made his first-grade debut in Rd 1 1999, at the age of 17 against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Although a very capable fullback, Burt played most of his rugby as a wing or center since the Eels backs of the era included Clinton Schifcofske, Brett Hodgson and Wade McKinnon, all of whom have earned at least one representative jumper at fullback. As an outside back, he provided many tries down either the left or right flank for Parramatta. Burt played on the wing for Parramatta in their 2001 NRL grand final loss to the Newcastle Knights.

With the departure of McKinnon at the end of 2006 to the Warriors, Burt was installed as the regular fullback. In 2007 Burt continued his great form at fullback and was particularly impressive with his goalkicking, kicking at just under 90% success rates for the season. His form put him at the top of the NRL's point scoring list for much of the 2007 season. Unfortunately Burt dislocated his kneecap against the Newcastle Knights in Round 17 and missed the remainder of the NRL season. At the time of his injury, Burt was so far ahead on the point scoring list that it took Hazem El Masri (second highest point scorer after Burt) until Round 22 to catch his total of 154 points for the season.

In the middle of the 2009 season season, Burt moved to the wing to let Jarryd Hayne move to his preferred fullback position. This move proved to be a masterstroke as Jarryd Hayne collected a number of awards including Dally M player of the year and fullback of the year and lead Parramatta to a Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm. Unfortunately Burt was unsuccessful in his second Grand Final appearance going down to Melbourne. Burt, Cayless and Hindmarsh were the only players to have played a Grand Final for Parramatta in the 2009 team. Melbourne was then found to have cheated the salary cap in 2010 but Parramatta was not given the 2009 premiership

In Round 4 of the 2011 season against the North Queensland Cowboys Burt broke Brett Kenny's record of most tries for Parramatta with 111. As of the end of Parramatta's 2011 season, Luke Burt has scored 117 tries for the Eels.

In 2011 Burt was moved back to fullback due to Jarryd Hayne going into the position of 5/8. With South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow joining the Eels in 2012, Eels coach Stephen Kearney has announced his intention to move Hayne back to his preferred fullback spot with Burt moving back onto the wing.

Burt was an unceremonious 11th hour demotion to the NSW Cup for the Round 2 match of 2012 against the New Zealand Warriors.

Burt announce he will retire at the end of the 2012 season and will join the Eel's coaching staff in 2013.