After a difficult year that included retirement, a charge of unauthorized sexual contact and a stay in rehab, embattled former Souths star George Burgess looks set to make a comeback.
The 31-year-old attacker made his intentions clear via his Instagram account and posted a video in which he looks fit and strong, with the caption ‘The comeback is on’.
And as a sign that the plan could be the real deal, Burgess also cleaned up his old Instagram account and replaced it with a new one called “George Burgess 2.0.”
A fit George Burgess teases a possible rugby league comeback on his Instagram account
Burgess, who has had hip injuries, jumps high on a pile of mats in the clip
George and brother Tom (right) are pictured at the height of their playing success as both represented Souths and won the 2014 premiership
A friend close to Burgess has confirmed that the British-born Bunnies fan favorite could really be considering a plan to return to the football field, despite long-term hip injuries that led to his early retirement last year.
They say he may also be quietly looking forward to a return to the club where it all started – the South Sydney Rabbitohs, where big brother Sam is an assistant coach and twin brother Tom still plays.
“He feels his playing days are not quite over,” said a close friend of Burgess.
What form that might take is still too early to say. But he puts a lot of work into it.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Burgess for comment.
If the return goes through, it wouldn’t be Burgess’ first major comeback from a career-threatening injury.
Last year, he became the first player in NRL history to return to the field following a rare form of hip resurfacing surgery, which he underwent in 2021.
Burgess became the first ever player in NRL to return to the field following a rare hip resurfacing operation
Months of grueling work and physical rehabilitation saw him return to the field for the St George Illawarra Dragons in a trial match against Parramatta, after which Burgess spoke of his relief at finally returning to action.
“For once I went into a match fit and ready to go, so I was pretty confident,” he said.
“It felt good to go out with the guys, with the new team. First game in a long time so it was just nice to get that on the board.”
However, a year of scandal and misadventure would follow, with Burgess embroiled in a “touching” claim by a woman who was believed to know him.
He was charged in March 2022 after a woman alleged that Burgess “touched her buttocks” without her consent.
His lawyer Bryan Wrench later entered a plea on behalf of Burgess, telling the Downing Center local court in Sydney that there was “considerable disagreement” about what had happened.
The case has been postponed to October.
Burgess (pictured with attorney Bryan Wrench, right) pleaded not guilty when he was charged with sexual assault without consent
Shortly after the initial claim was filed, Burgess entered a mental health facility for depression and gambling treatment with friends and family gathered around the star.
A friend close to the veteran striker told Daily Mail Australia that George wanted to “get the handle on” his personal issues after struggling for several months with injury recovery and doubts about his future as a player.
Burgess would ultimately only play four games with the Dragons, finishing the 2022 season coming off the bench for their NSW Cup feeder side.
He was cut by the Dragons in October foreshadowing the end of his 10-year, 153-game NRL career, which he announced on social media.
“It’s a dream come true to live my childhood dream and represent my family and country during my time, especially at @ssfcrabbitohs and @englandrugbyleague,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, injuries ended my career before I would have liked, but I am a happy man walking away from this wonderful match with my performance.”
George is pictured after being named man of the match for Souths against St Helens in the World Club Challenge in February 2022
The Burgess brothers (left to right) Sam, Luke, George and Tom are pictured with Mum Julie
George is one quarter of the famous Burgess clan – one of the most decorated football families in the country.
His twin brother Tom and older siblings Luke and Sam have all played top-level rugby league – and they all took the field for Souths at the same game in 2013.
The tight-knit family recently celebrated some good news when Sam announced he is expecting a child with partner Lucy Graham.
Eldest brother Luke and his partner Tori May also welcomed their first daughter in 2022.
George shares three children with wife Joanna Burgess; Boston, five, Birdie, four, and Blainey, three, while Tom shares Sophie, four, and Elodie, two with wife Tahlia Giumelli.