Burns traded to Adelaide
October 28 2002

WAYWARD forward Ronnie Burns has been traded to the Adelaide Crows, in exchange for the unproven Adelaide defender Ben Finnin, who is yet to play a senior game. Burns, who reportedly still owes $4,000 rent on an apartment above the Moorabool St KFC, says that he is looking forward to a new environment and being reunited with his first AFL coach, Gary Ayres.

After kicking just 17 goals in 18 matches in 2002, Burns was always on the trade list. But that it took until 4 minutes to midnight to complete a trade came as a surprise. It is believed that Geelong will pay a significant portion of Burns' wage even though he is an Adelaide listed player, a common occurrence these days.

Adelaide is fast attracting a reputation as an 'outlaw' club, with their signing of Wayne Carey, and their Captain Mark Ricciuto renowned for starting bar brawls.

Finnin was recruited from the TAC Cup team Western Jets (who Garry Hocking will lead next season) at pick 44, after growing up in the Northeastern suburb of Greensborough. He played with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL in 2002, although not always in the senior side. Finnin's height is listed in the mid-190s, and can only get bigger in girth as his body develops. Other than that, not much is known.