2020 Rabbitohs Rumours, Signings and News

[Travitoh]

My two cents on the Sam Burgess story...
Print journalism in the modern day stinks and isn't worth the paper it's printed on. In saying that though, where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
Now the language used could be a lot more extreme than it needs to be but as @The Silverdale Phantom has mentioned, assault can be used to describe a grab at an arm or a steel chair to the head.
Before jumping to conclusions i want to know more information but as long as it's kept behind a paywall, I'll take little notice of it tbh.
On the use of illicit substances...
Pro footballer likes coke... shocker.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Can we put stuff like this in the general gossip thread please. It's where this kind of chat belongs.

Well its not gossip when its on the front pages of the national newspaper - thats my point.

Also its not gossip but fact that two years ago the person making the allegation fled to South Africa and refused to be interviewed by police, and refused to return (at that time) Also, it is not gossip but fact that her brother was a member of the Roosters FC.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

My two cents on the Sam Burgess story...
Print journalism in the modern day stinks and isn't worth the paper it's printed on. In saying that though, where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
Now the language used could be a lot more extreme than it needs to be but as @The Silverdale Phantom has mentioned, assault can be used to describe a grab at an arm or a steel chair to the head.
Before jumping to conclusions i want to know more information but as long as it's kept behind a paywall, I'll take little notice of it tbh.
On the use of illicit substances...
Pro footballer likes coke... shocker.

Firstly, I agree with the first part about the media but being on a paywall doesnt mean it should be dismissed as gossip, the story will make the rounds anyway and the (desired) impact will be the same.

Secondly, about the assault allegations, if the person/victim was serious, and frankly, credible, why not follow the proper channels of reporting this? Why go the "backdoor" way using the media to put out the story for you first? Maybe there is smoke there, not saying their isnt, but follow the proper channels. The timing of this is not coincidence, it makes it even more suspicious the motives are honourable.

And what better way to revive a dead story by now injecting "new information" and tying the whole club management into a big conspiracy.

 

[handyman2190]

Firstly, I agree with the first part about the media but being on a paywall doesnt mean it should be dismissed as gossip, the story will make the rounds anyway and the (desired) impact will be the same.

Secondly, about the assault allegations, if the person/victim was serious, and frankly, credible, why not follow the proper channels of reporting this? Why go the "backdoor" way using the media to put out the story for you first? Maybe there is smoke there, not saying their isnt, but follow the proper channels. The timing of this is not coincidence, it makes it even more suspicious the motives are honourable.

And what better way to revive a dead story by now injecting "new information" and tying the whole club management into a big conspiracy.

My 5 cents, this has been brought out by either those chook arseholes because of the 60 drubbing to get back at us, to derail us, also could be the ex and her old man trying to rain on sams coaching parade.
Either way this stuff is disgusting, vilandys calling for an inquiry straight away reeks of a stitchup, did he call for an inquiry into the staggs porn case?
There is no way a drug test can be doctored, its too stringent, the club cant change or fraudulently change names.
Someone is trying to bring our great club to its knees.
f**k them, and what they rode in with

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

My 5 cents, this has been brought out by either those chook arseholes because of the 60 drubbing to get back at us, to derail us, also could be the ex and her old man trying to rain on sams coaching parade.
Either way this stuff is disgusting, vilandys calling for an inquiry straight away reeks of a stitchup, did he call for an inquiry into the staggs porn case?
There is no way a drug test can be doctored, its too stringent, the club cant change or fraudulently change names.
Someone is trying to bring our great club to its knees.
f**k them, and what they rode in with

It’s really the media catering for ghouls.

 

[Travitoh]

Firstly, I agree with the first part about the media but being on a paywall doesnt mean it should be dismissed as gossip, the story will make the rounds anyway and the (desired) impact will be the same.

Secondly, about the assault allegations, if the person/victim was serious, and frankly, credible, why not follow the proper channels of reporting this? Why go the "backdoor" way using the media to put out the story for you first? Maybe there is smoke there, not saying their isnt, but follow the proper channels. The timing of this is not coincidence, it makes it even more suspicious the motives are honourable.

And what better way to revive a dead story by now injecting "new information" and tying the whole club management into a big conspiracy.

Valid points and not much that i actually disagree with.

However, the definition of gossip is 'casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true.' Literally the situation we have here.

My 5 cents, this has been brought out by either those chook arseholes because of the 60 drubbing to get back at us, to derail us, also could be the ex and her old man trying to rain on sams coaching parade.
Either way this stuff is disgusting, vilandys calling for an inquiry straight away reeks of a stitchup, did he call for an inquiry into the staggs porn case?
There is no way a drug test can be doctored, its too stringent, the club cant change or fraudulently change names.
Someone is trying to bring our great club to its knees.
f**k them, and what they rode in with

Why should there have been an inquest by the NRL into the Staggs video? What did he actually do wrong apart from pull a 2 on a night out? He didn't film it, she did. He didn't release it, she did.

The modern media is trash and values clicks and mentions above reporting actual facts. Saying that, this is the second time that a story of this ilk has been released about Sam and i don't necessarily recall the first being resolved.

Why go to the media? Because it's the more lucrative option. If Sam is charged, convicted and loses his job, child support payments plummet. He is more valuable to his former in-laws in the news than he is in a courtroom.

 

[Travitoh]

End of the day, these stories exist because we discuss them and post links to them. As i said, the media today isn't about being correct, it's about trending online.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

It’s really the media catering for ghouls.

Yep.
And you raised the Josh Reynolds thing, I remember when I first saw and heard it, I thought he's going down, cant be carrying on like this (although there is generally something triggering the behaviour) but when the full picture came out it was horrific that Reynolds got involved with such a person. Horrific. And the media paid her. And now story is they wanna "reward" her by putting her in that Paradise Island show. Unbelievable what we've become as a society.....

He had my sympathy after that. Until he broke Campbell Graham's face. He deserved that stiff arm coat hanger off the top rope from Latrell. lol just saying.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

End of the day, these stories exist because we discuss them and post links to them. As i said, the media today isn't about being correct, it's about trending online.

Very little of it is actually important. Maybe 5% re changes in law, health and education etc.

And footy and related for footy reasons.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Yep.
And you raised the Josh Reynolds thing, I remember when I first saw and heard it, I thought he's going down, cant be carrying on like this (although there is generally something triggering the behaviour) but when the full picture came out it was horrific that Reynolds got involved with such a person. Horrific.

He had my sympathy after that. Until he broke Campbell Graham's face. He deserved that stiff arm coat hanger off the top rope from Latrell. lol just saying.

Yeah, footy is footy, I understand!

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Yeah, footy is footy, I understand!

Cool, I gotcha.
I know he didn't premeditate it but man it WAS reckless lol

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Cody had one of the best games of football of all time recently -and people want to worry about Sam.

Let’s get our priorities in order!

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Cody had one of the best games of football of all time recently -and people want to worry about Sam.

Let’s get our priorities in order!

Because it would just be like typical Roosters form. As we said, they did this to us already on the eve of one of the biggest SF games, against the Storm. A brutal match with Munster sinking us with a field goal 2 mins from time

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Stood down from coaching apparently.


https://www.theage.com.au/sport/nrl...-sydney-star-sam-burgess-20201002-p561bz.html

 

[callmack1]

NRL to investigate allegations against Rabbitohs, Sam Burgess: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/02/nrl-to-investigate-allegations-against-rabbitohs-sam-burgess/

Sam Burgess stands himself down from Rabbitohs, Fox Sports as NRL, police investigate claims: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/sam-bu...response/8ca38b99-2946-4373-b1db-3c90b47b52ac

From Zero Tackle,

Explosive report emerges about former Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess

An explosive report has emerged accusing the Rabbitohs of covering up drug use, violence and harassment to protect retired star Sam Burgess.

The allegations were published in an exclusive report by The Australian newspaper on Thursday night, detailing the extent South Sydney went to to prevent public exposure of his post-season celebrations late in his career.

The Rabbitohs were also accused of using fake identities to hide results for drug tests for illegal substances.

The claims in the report have prompted calls for Burgess to stand down, who has been working on the South Sydney coaching staff this season.

Burgess’ lawyer Mark O’Brien last night blatantly denied the fiery claims in the report.

“The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,” Mr O’Brien told the newspaper.

“It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.”

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys on Friday told The Daily Telegraph that the league would properly investigate the matter.

“Every person in the community deserves due process and natural justice,” V’landys said.

“The allegations have to be tested and we have to undertake an investigation.

“We should have no prejudgement.

“Both Sam and the club should be afforded that.

“And without prejudging this instance, I stress that we have zero tolerance for violence against women or children, and we will never tolerate it.

“But we have to investigate this.

“We can’t not give them the opportunity of due process and natural justice.”

Burgess was hampered by shoulder injuries late in his career before he medically retired at the end of the 2019.

A report two weeks ago linked the Englishman to a potential return to the NRL.

 

[callmack1]

I can't believe what has happened today, I simply cannot believe it. Get home from work and this is literally everywhere. I really don't know what to think right now, I'm gutted and I'm in complete and utter shock. Can't believe it.

Firstly, these are extremely serious allegations, just about as bad as it gets. It not only drags Sam's name through the mud but it brings our entire organisation with it. IF these allegations are true, then both us and Sam are in deep, deep trouble and that scares me greatly. Where there is smoke, there is sadly often fire and I doubt this story would have been released without some kind of evidence. I am hoping and praying with all my might that I am wrong there.

But then, I don't know what to think because this is just so full on against us and the club that it can't be true, surely.

There's a lot to take in so I'm going to list the stuff that makes it seem suss to me and give me a little bit of hope.

• As can be read in an article I posted above, Sam's lawyer has come straight out and denied the claims. He is already mentioning defamation, and you don't bring that word into it unless you're pretty damn certain the allegations aren't true.
• Secondly, these events happened two years ago and if the people involved in the allegations feel this strongly about it and are that traumatised by it, why didn't you report it to police or anyone else at the time?
• Why report it to the media and I do a 'tell all' and lay it all out there?
• Another reason, and it's a big reason, is that this is the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW that a big scandal involving Sam has come up literally RIGHT before the Finals. Come on, that can't be a co-incedence. Do the Roosters have someting to do with it?

God, I just hope this comes back and comes up all clear for Souths. However I must admit, it concerns me greatly.

Even if it does come back allgood, by then the damage has been done. This will no doubt de-stabilise our team. I cannot believe it.....

 

[callmack1]

Kinda been overshadowed by today's headlines but Wayne is officially the new Queensland coach for this year,

Bennett's back - Coaching king back on Maroon throne: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/02/bennetts-back-maroons-confirm-wayne-will-coach-2020-series/

 

[callmack1]

From the Daily Telegraph,

Sam Burgess’ racy text message affair revealed

Sordid and flirty text messages between former NRL star Sam Burgess and his one-time lover have emerged, revealing how they regularly met up at a five-star Melbourne hotel and the city’s trendy nightspots.

Also from the Daily Telegraph,

‘No knowledge’: Ex-Souths official responds to Burgess claims

Townsville earlier this year. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Former South Sydney general manager of football Shane Richardson has vehemently denied having any knowledge of serious drug allegations involving former star forward Sam Burgess.

It comes as NSW Police and the NRL integrity unit have launched their own investigations into claims surrounding the Rabbitohs and Burgess, following allegations made in The Australian newspaper on Friday.

Richardson told News Corp Australia on Friday that he was adamant neither Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly nor the club’s board had any knowledge of any alleged drug cover-up.

“I can say absolutely categorically that I had no knowledge of it whatsoever,” Richardson said.

“You have to ask the question. I understand that. I was the football manager at the time.

“But I will tell you now, categorically, that was never reported to me in any way, shape or form.

“No one reported it to us whatsoever.

“Not even an inkling of it. Not a text. Nothing.”

It comes as Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo vowed the governing body would launch an immediate investigation.

It partly related to claims made in The Australian that alleged South Sydney’s chief medical officer Andrew McDonald had treated Burgess on November 6, 2018, and that Burgess later underwent a “secret drug test” with a different doctor the following day in an underground car park of South Sydney Juniors club.

Burgess’ lawyer Mark O’Brien has strongly denied the allegations to The Australian.

“The allegations are false and constitute an indefensible defamation against my client,” Mr O’Brien told The Australian.

“It is apparent sources of the false allegations are those currently in dispute with my client over various issues.”

It’s no secret Richardson had a strained relationship with Burgess towards the end of their time working together before Richardson resigned from the club earlier this year.

Asked if anyone else at Souths would have been aware of the allegations, Richardson said: “I don’t know that because this is the first time I have heard about it.

“So I don’t know.

“Who are we talking about?

“I have no doubt the board didn’t know about it because we would have told them.

“I know (Solly) didn’t know because we would talk about anything that came up. We always discussed it immediately.”

NRL boss Andrew Abdo said there were “new allegations” and he would speak with South Sydney officials on Friday.

“These allegations are very serious and I’ve instructed the Integrity Unit to investigate the claims as a priority,” Abdo said.

“We will also seek the advice of police and other relevant authorities throughout this process.

“This is new information for the NRL and it is important we now gather the facts. The allegations have not yet been tested and due process will be followed as we undertake a thorough investigation.

“There is no place in our game for violence, harassment or abuse against women. If anyone is found guilty of these allegations we will take the strongest possible action.”

Earlier, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the explosive allegations of a Rabbitohs club cover-up of substance abuse, violence and harassment to protect Burgess, were “pretty serious.”

The allegations, contained in a report by The Australian newspaper, have been vehemently denied by Burgess’ lawyer.

The South Sydney club are also accused of using fake identities to hide results for drug tests for illegal substances.

V’landys on Friday told The Daily Telegraph that NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo would launch an immediate investigation.

“Every person in the community deserves due process and natural justice,” V’landys said.

“The allegations have to be tested and we have to undertake an investigation.

“We should have no prejudgement.

“Both Sam and the club should be afforded that.

“And without prejudging this instance, I stress that we have zero tolerance for violence against women or children, and we will never tolerate it.

“But we have to investigate this.

“We can’t not give them the opportunity of due process and natural justice.”

V’landys said the NRL’s integrity department would seek information from The Australian.

“We are taking the matter pretty serious because these are serious allegations,” V’landys added.

“But I have to keep stressing that he has to be given the opportunity to defend himself.

“At this stage these are allegations. They are not proven and they are not tested.”

Asked if Burgess would be able to stay in the South Sydney ‘bubble’ ahead of the Rabbitohs’ opening finals clash against Newcastle on Sunday, V’landys reiterated: “Again, at this stage they are allegations. We will start up an immediate investigation and see what evidence we can get.

“And if we do have sufficient evidence we will take the appropriate action. But until we see the evidence and until we see the facts you can’t make a judgment.”

Burgess has been working on the South Sydney coaching staff this season.

 

[callmack1]

Rabbitohs Statement Regarding Report in Today’s The Australian: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2...nt-regarding-report-in-todays-the-australian/

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Richo is claiming no knowledge, no texts, I think he’s truthful because this can be easily found out. So he’s not going to go out on a limb and make such sweeping statements.

Sam and Richo have some powerful enemies.

Sam isn’t saying much at the moment which is right.

There’s no context either to the allegations, no inkling of anything bad his ex wife may have done. The behaviour remains alleged. No fact now. If he’s getting sleazy with a girl on line, that’s his business. Sounds like she was into it too. Did she want Souths to pay her $?

Did Sam report that to her employer? Nup.

All very adolescent if you ask me.

We are all expected to believe he his the devil incarnate. Pfft. He’s a young pom who was a good footy player. Dropped too many balls perhaps!

Trial by media, round after round of nasty stories to try to sell these get rich quick amazon schemes selling flavoured toothpicks or what have you.

My promise to everyone here is that the story will wash away at some point. Not a single word of it yet has defiled his footy, it’s all bitter character assassination.

I have no idea what happened, it won’t be changing my life except for keeping tiger stories out of the press for awhile ( probably a good thing).

It will be what it will be.