The 28-year-old made his senior debut with the Lions, but also spent four years as an assistant at CDHBU under Brad Talbot and Damien Payne before returning to the club this year.

Burdon worked closely with outgoing co-coaches Jamie Seymour and Brett Skinner as an assistant throughout the season and isn’t daunted by the task ahead.

“I’m honoured to be given a chance,” Burdon said.

“It was put to me 12 months ago that it was part of the plan with me coming over to Wahgunyah to be an assistant for a year and step up to the role.

“The club has gone the way of recruiting ex-locals and juniors back to the club and that’s something I’m massive on.

“We’ve got two fourths teams that have played in premierships and an under 17s team and we’re really trying to get all those boys back to the club over the next couple of seasons and build our senior list around that.

“That’s something I’m basing my recruiting around.

“I love a challenge and I think I’ve been given a challenge to make sure this club keeps aspiring to play finals football.

“We showed this year we could make it and it’s going to be our goal again next season.”

Burdon is still exploring the possibility of appointing a co-coach or an assistant to partner him next season and will be on the hunt for more key position players. 

“One of our downfalls this year was we weren’t overly tall, so we probably need to nail away at least two key position players for 2018,” Burdon said.

Wahgunyah president Darryl Hore is confident Burdon can make an impact in the top job.

“He’s hit the ground running and is very keen,” Hore said.

“He’s got some good support from the playing group as well.

“He’s a bloke that’s been waiting in the wings for a fair while and this is his chance.

“To this point we’ve been very impressed with Sam.”

Hore thanked Seymour, who will returns to Corowa-Rutherglen next season, and Skinner for their efforts and admitted the latter will still be heavily involved with the club.

“Jamie opted not to take the third year, Brett took it, but when it come down to it he didn’t have the time to do it,” he said.

“The decision he made was in his words ‘the best things for the club’, but he’ll still be around in one role or another.

“His knowledge of not only the game, but the player points system with contracts and the salary cap is too hard to lose.

“When it comes to that, he’s outstanding.”