Tom Burton

Thomas Burton (born 9 January 2007) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). An endurance running half-forward, Burton was signed as a train-on player by Richmond in the 2026 pre-season, after being overlooked by all 18 AFL clubs in the draft periods at the end of the 2025 season.

Early life and junior football Burton grew up in Point Cook, a suburb 22 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. He played junior football with the local Point Cook Football Club in the Western Region Football League from under 9s level.

Burton played representative football for Victorian state sides at Under 14 and Under 15 level, including being named Under 15 All-Australian in 2022. Burton also played in the 2024 AFL Futures game for players in the penultimate season of junior eligibility, in which he recorded 26 disposals. During that final year of junior eligibility, Burton began university studies while continuing to play with the Western Jets. For his exceptional performances that season, Burton was named the Jets best and fairest player and was selected to the Talent League Team of the Year. In the week prior to the 2025 AFL draft, he was listed as a top 40 prospect by ESPN.

Despite his accomplishments as a junior, Burton was overlooked by all 18 AFL clubs in both the national and rookie drafts of November 2025.

AFL career In the days immediately following the drafts, Burton accepted a place in 's pre-season training squad. After a three-month period in the program, he was offered a contract under the pre-season supplemental selection period rules, taking up the final slot on the club's 2026 list.

He started the season with the club's reserves side in the Victorian Football League, featuring in three matches over March and April, with an average of 17 disposals and 1.3 goals per game.

Player profile Burton plays as a high half forward and is notable for his transition running. In his junior years, Burton played as a rebounding defender and midfielder.

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