The 23-year-old New Zealand A player started the first two games of the season at goal defence but has since established herself as the first-choice wing defence.
That is no small feat when you consider Silver Ferns squad member Debbie White and former New Zealand under-21 representative Wendy Telfer were vying for the bib.
Burgess credits the competition for places as the reason for her successful transition from goal defence to wing defence.
"It has been quite good because we've had three wing defences fighting for the one position," Burgess said.
"I know that has probably lifted my performance. I probably wouldn't be the player I am without her [Debbie White] being there.
"Without her challenging me every week, you could ask the question, 'Would I have improved my own performance?'
"She has worked hard every week and pushed me to my limit and has made me push myself even harder."
Burgess was originally a goal defence but got pushed out to wing defence last year.
"I do enjoy it and probably prefer it, to be honest. I feel like my future is out there. But I feel back at home when I drop back to goal defence as well."
The Steel's 41-47 loss to the Northern Mystics ended its play-off hopes, but the Otago-South-land combined side still has plenty to play for when it takes on the competition's leading side, the Magic, in Invercargill on Monday.
"For us, now, it is about putting a good performance together against a top team and showing that we can compete and even win."
Part of the game plan is to stop shooting ace Irene van Dyk from getting the ball.
The Silver Ferns shooter has scored 364 goals from 401 attempts for a success rate of 90.8%.
However, she trails Natalie Medhurst, of the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who has completed 90.9% of her attempts.
Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken is the third most accurate at 90% and is the competition's leading goal scorer with 422 goals.
The Magic is the only New Zealand side to qualify for the semifinals and is determined to secure a home venue by winning its remaining round-robin matches against the Steel and the Canterbury Tactix.
The Steel is hoping to end the season well and finish as the second-best New Zealand side.
