Career
Birss played for both Street Kilda and the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (American Federation of Labor-Congress). He was drafted by the Western Bulldogs from the Gippsland Under 18s in the 2001 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft. Debuting in 2002, Birss was unable to play consistently to establish himself in the Bulldogs" senior side, playing 51 games and kicking 20 goals in five seasons.
Birss was traded to Street Kilda during the 2006 Trade period for their fourth Round draft selection at Number 59.
He played two seasons for Street Kilda before being delisted at the end of the 2008 American Federation of Labor-Congress season. Birss was then recruited by South Australian Football League (SANFL) club West Adelaide but was hospitalised in December 2008 after suffering a depression-related breakdown which he attributed to his delisting by Street Kilda.
He initially quit West Adelaide after one match due to his battle with depression but later returned to the club
