Tedesco, Cordner, Gutherson among nine added to Blues squad:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/11/tedesco-cordner-gutherson-among-nine-added-to-blues-squad/
Why I am concerned for Sam Burgess and the Souths doctor:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/why-i-...ss-and-the-souths-doctor-20201008-p563b0.html
From Weidler in the Daily Telegraph, an absolute BS article,
Russell Crowe did not like inquiries this column made when we first revealed the breakdown in his relationship with Sam Burgess in November. It was played down by both parties, but I’ve been told communication between the pair has been limited during the past six months. Some say it’s non-existent.
The exact nature of their relationship may emerge if Crowe speaks to those investigating allegations against Burgess. Their relationship certainly wasn’t what it was when the pair embraced following the 2014 grand final.
Burgess also had a significant falling out with former Rabbitohs football manager Shane Richardson. Things got very nasty between the pair. Richardson was dealing with an alleged sexting scandal and the breakdown of Burgess’ marriage; nothing like the allegations of domestic violence and drug use levelled at the former star in The Australian recently. Burgess denies the allegations.
Richardson has publicly stated he was unaware Burgess had to be medicated after a drug-fuelled bender, as claimed in The Australian. If Richardson ever tells his side of the story about the relationship breakdown it would make headlines.
Richardson had a fateful warning for Souths chief executive Blake Solly when he left the club earlier this year: he said dealing with Burgess would be his greatest challenge.
There is a growing anger towards Burgess from the Souths hierarchy. They have been waiting for him to clear them of any knowledge of his alleged drug-fuelled binge. That is obviously difficult given Burgess’ court battles. His failure to make any statement has tarnished the club’s brand.
South Sydney Rabbitohs say Sam Burgess report is not a distraction ahead of their crucial NRL finals clash.
Souths think a short statement from Burgess would take the heat off the board, the chairman and the CEO. It would also clear Crowe, who has done so much for the Burgess family.
Souths have said time and again they knew nothing of Burgess’ alleged behaviour. That seems implausible, given that their club doctor was allegedly present on the now infamous night. They say they didn’t know because Souths doctor Andrew McDonald was treating Burgess as an individual patient, not as a player.
Expect McDonald to argue that a script was allegedly written in the name of Mitchell Hooke, the father of Burgess’ wife, Phoebe, because the doctor didn’t think it would be safe to leave Burgess alone. Smarter people than me will determine whether this is plausible.
Burgess has had some contact with the outside world since this story broke. He rang his bosses at Fox Sports to stand down. Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell was part of that discussion. It is difficult to know if Bell was acting as a manager or a mate. He has previously let Burgess stay in his luxury home during rocky periods in his marriage with Phoebe in the past
There is now a whispering campaign aimed at discrediting the journalists who broke the story, one of whom has a personal relationship with Phoebe.
Burgess’ lawyer, Bryan Wrench, made some very strong points in court during the week about the ‘‘job’’ that has been done on Burgess by the Hooke family and provided context about the timing of the story in The Australian and what is going on between Phoebe and Sam.
Sam and Phoebe Burgess did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
Bunny and power
The NRL must take some blame for the situation at South Sydney in relation to the Burgess affair because it has allowed the club to dominate past investigations.
New chief executive Andrew Abdo faces a stern test. Many in the game feel the Rabbitohs have been able to pull the wool over the eyes of head office in the past.
It all dates back to 2015 when Luke Burgess and John Sutton were arrested following a boozy night in an Arizona bar. The club notified the NRL integrity unit about the incident, but said charges had been withdrawn by authorities.
What Souths didn’t mention is that they were dropped only after a secret payment was made to a bouncer who was injured in the incident. They played the NRL off a break. Souths escaped with a $20,000 fine after an investigation could not prove that club officials knew about the payment. The case was highly embarrassing for the NRL, but Souths escaped with a slap on the wrist.
When Burgess was embroiled in an alleged sexting scandal two years ago, Souths again made the NRL look amateurish. The club quickly announced its own investigation into the matter, rather than allowing the integrity unit to head up an inquiry, which is normal practice. Somehow the NRL allowed Souths to investigate their own player. Not surprisingly, the club cleared Burgess of any wrongdoing.
The Parramatta Eels host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a sudden death elimination final.
Then, just over 12 months ago, Burgess labelled the NRL judiciary a ‘‘kangaroo court’’, even though it was headed by Supreme Court judge Geoff Bellew. Rather than being hauled over the coals, former NRL boss Todd Greenberg invited Burgess for a cup of tea in his office and fined him $10,000. But the fine was suspended; he didn’t pay a cent.
It all played into the narrative that strong clubs have been able to run rings around the NRL too long.
