He made his début in 1995, two years after being drafted, after moving from South Australia and played every game except one for the season.

In 1997 a groin injury restricted him to fourteen games and in 1998 he missed most of the first half of the season due to a broken arm.

Collingwood made the Grand Final in 2002 and Burns played a magnificent season, coming runner-up in the best and fairest once again.

In March 2008, Scott Burns was appointed Collingwood captain for the 2008 season, replacing Nathan Buckley.

[4] On 23 September, 2020 It was announced that Burns would take on the role of Senior Assistant Coach for the Adelaide Football Club.