Burgess was a centreman and debuted for Essendon in 1954. He was one of Essendon's best players in the 1950s and won the club's best and fairest in 1957 and 1960. He represented Victoria in 1957-58 and 1960. Burgess left Essendon in 1960 at the age of 26 to captain-coach Casterton.