Community
20 May, 2023
Burgess ‘excited’ to be back
Brothers Leagues Club snares league legend for five-month contract with possible extension
CAIRNS Brothers Leagues Club have secured NRL legend George Burgess for the FNQ Rugby League competition.
With over 150 NRL games to his name, an NRL premiership title, and coming from one of Australia’s most iconic sporting families, Burgess has a lot to offer to the local game and many ideas for community enrichment.
After a long break and hip surgery, he has signed for five months with Brothers with the possibility of an extension.
The ex-Rabittohs player said he felt the “itch” to return to the sport. “It was good timing for both Tim Rumford (head of coaching at Brothers) and me,” he said.
“Community is a big thing for me, and to see what they’re doing up here with the engagement and the junior rugby league is so strong, that was a big draw card.
“Getting the chance to come up here and be around a footy team, it’s great. The camaraderie is something you always miss.”
As part of Cairns Brothers Leagues Club, Burgess will be taking on a holistic role, enhancing the club’s community projects, coaching, although not officially, and more crucially, maintaining Brothers’ reign on the Cairns District Rugby League title.
Brothers captain-coach Jordan Biondi-Odo said there were a lot of expectations, but the focus was on Burgess making the most of his time in Cairns.
“I congratulate Tim and everyone involved for landing the big fella.
“There probably comes some expectations with his resume in footy, but as long as he’s playing at a high standard, the most important thing is for him to enjoy his footy and be one of the boys.”
Mr Burgess said he was excited about his new role at Brothers and hoped to do important community work in Cairns.
“As part of Cairns Brothers, we’ll do some great community work, so it feels like going full circle,” he said.
“Getting back to the game is the biggest thing. I just vanished out the back door, and my dad coaches, my mum coaches and my brothers are all involved in the game, so I felt like I was doing a disservice to them by not going back into the game.
“I see myself playing, helping out with coaching and connecting with the community.”
“At this stage, we have agreed to five months, it’ll be reviewed at the end of the year, but I feel like this could go on longer, and I’m very optimistic about what we’re doing.”
