Career
Burns came to Essendon from Dromana, as the 51st selection of the 1988 VFL Draft. He made seven regular season appearances for Essendon that year and also participated in their semi final loss to Collingwood. His collision with Alan Richardson in that game resulting in the Collingwood player breaking his collarbone, which would cost him a spot in their premiership team
Having not played a single senior game in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Burns made his way to Street Kilda in the 1994 Pre-Season Draft, but would make only four appearances.