Formerย NRLย front-rower and 2014 Grand Final winnerย George Burgess has signed with a Queensland club after making his return to the rugby league field midway through the 2024 season.
A member of the famed 'Burgess Family', George appeared in 153ย NRLย games throughout his 11-year rugby league career, primarily for the Rabbitohs but also had stints with theย Wigan Warriorsย andย St George Illawarra Dragons.
Last playing in theย NRLย in 2019, he is a one-time premiership player and is the twin brother ofย Thomas Burgessย and the younger brother ofย Sam Burgessย andย Luke Burgess.
He also made 15 international appearances forย Englandย between 2013 and 2018 and played two matches for theย Englandย Knights in 2012.
After spending time this year with the South Eastern Seagulls in the South Sydney Junior A-Grade competition, Burgess has decided to make the switch to the Noosa Pirates where he was also act as the club's U16s coach.
โFor me it's very important to stay connected to the game that I have grown and evolved with as a person, it's more than just a sport for me," Burgess said.
โTo be given the opportunity to pass on my teachings to the next generation of footy players is something special, as a 15/16 year old young man I was definitely at a crossroads as to whether I was going to pursue rugby league as a career or not so to be able to work closely with the Pirates U16's is great for me to be able to play a pivotal role in their young sporting careers and give them valuable lessons they can use in their lives on and off the field.โ
Club President Liam Anlezark added, โWe're excited to have someone of George's experience and calibre involved with the Pirates for Season 2025.โ
โI'm sure Big George's professionalism on the training paddock will be positive for the culture that Murph is driving in our senior playing group and George's playing debut at Pirate Park will be a massive day for the club!โ
โFor someone that's done so much in our great game, to be aligned with our vision and what we're building as a club is pretty specialโ
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