Burns isn’t even making the bench for Wellington these days, and hasn’t made the match day squad for today’s game vs us.

Nathan Burns’ first Wellington stint: 24 games, 13 goals.

Nathan Burns’ second Wellington stint: 24 games, 0 goals.

He hasn't been as prolific as he once was, I think he lacks confidence ATM. I think we should release him early and send him to CCM so we can pick up another good NPL player. 

Burns could write a pretty decent trilogy on how to make poor career choices

Probably wouldn’t surprise me if he’s just not enjoying his football anymore either

It’s also interesting because Rudan has done a great job with the club it’s just not working with burnsy

He was very good in the turnaround against Perf, Sydney and Victory . The Sydney game him and the other 2 up front did a ghetto beat down on Sydney. But I think that great month for the club flattened him and I suspect his body is on the way out tbh.

Some players peak early ...some get better with age ...it is the way of things ...I mean how long has Topor-Stanley been around  ?  Since day one? He rarely makes a mistake...and if he does he chases until he gets it back. I would take him at the Roar in a heart beat.  

Burns has been playing very well, just not scoring goals and he's always been hot and cold in that metric. The problem he's got is that competition in the front third is very high for the team and if he's not starting then because he's not scoring goals he's not good to have on the bench as he's not versatile enough.

he had a small burst of quality and that was it.  he made the mistake that many australians do when they have 1 good season and leave rather than sticking it out a bit and really getting some consistent form under their belt.

degenek is doing the same thing right now.  nabbout is in the same category.  there are so many. 

i think this is a bigger issue for older players (mid 20's) that have not quite hit form early in their career - they must start to feel immense pressure with their career choices.

There’s a whole list of Socceroos that have fallen off. Burns might be at the head of the list but it is a long list.

I guess he’s retired now?

Yep, pretty much.

A-League memes spotted him at the Newy v Nix game today with Luke Wilkshire.

He was assistant to Luke Wiltshire for the NPL NSW v NPL QLD game

Nathan Burns isn't the only player whose career declined quickly. Having said this I was amazed how quickly he declined from being one of the best forwards in the A L and a Socceroo. I thought he was possibly a little better as a winger when Aus had the ball, than Leckie and Kruse for a while. 

If we went back 10 -15 years, there would be heaps of players who went from being high quality pros, even Socceroos, to not even be playing pro football - Ahmad Elrich (Tarich's brother and former Socceroo who served a lengthy stretch in jail for armed robbery), Kaz Patafta,  Kristian Sarkies, Jobe Wheelhouse (amazed Jets let him go), Sebastian Ryall, Bruce Djite (retired earlier than one would have thought), Stuart Musalik, etcetera.

What has happened to Chris Herd, and the left footed Turkish affiliated Aussie defender who played with AU for a season?   

Chris Herd has just signed in Malaysia for Terengganu FC, whilst Ersan Gülüm is back playing in the Turkish Super League, this time for Antalyaspor.

Not one of those players could be considered consistent high quality.

Ahmad - last time he was good was the Parramatta Power.
Kaz Patafta - over hyped
Sebastian - Solid professional - black depression ended his career
Bruce - Solid professional, nothing more
Stuart Musalik - Solid professional, drug problems & depression also.

Two of them were in Socceroo squads and had game time.

Which football specific performance criteria do you use  for your opinions?  

Thanks for that, PIFA.

After watching Ersum Gulum in the A L, I wouldn't have thought he was good enough to play in the Turkish First Division? It is good news if he is getting game time though.