The Wangaratta winger took his season tally to 40 on Sunday after a hat trick against Wodonga Diamonds and has his sights set on the half century in the final three home and away games.

Burchell won the league’s leading goal scorer two years ago with 28 goals in his first season, but fell two short of Myrtleford’s Matt Park last season with the same number, after missing several games through injury and the Visa player restriction.

It inspired him to get fitter and led to him taking up sprint training last October and competing in Victorian Athletic League events.

“I feel sharper, fitter and have been more clinical in front of goal,” Burchell said.

Burchell needs 11 more in the final three matches to break Zac Walker’s AWFA goal scoring record of 50 goals in a home and away season in 2010, which he managed from just 17 games.

After finals, Walker finished the year with 53 goals.