Russell Crowe’s bush footy team FOLDS in shocking blow to former coach Sam Burgess
Russell Crowe’s bush footy team FOLDS in shock blow to former coach Sam Burgess after leading them to the grand final – leaving Souths legend ‘eroded’
Former NRL star Sam Burgess said he is ‘devastated’ by the demise of the Orara Valley Axemen, Russell Crowe’s bush footy club.
The New South Wales north coast rugby league club went on hiatus this week, with officials confirming in a statement that the side had made the ‘difficult decision to withdraw from Group 2 competition’.
The South Sydney legend made the surprise move into coaching last April when he was appointed in charge of the Axemen and led them to a grand final defeat to South Grafton Rebels.
His appointment came just two years after Crowe helped save the Axemen when they were forced to withdraw from their local league in 2020.
‘I’m really broken. The energy and hope that has been poured into the area will not be there next season,” Burgess told the Daily Telegraph.
Sam Burgess is gutted about the demise of the Orara Valley Axemen
The former NRL star took charge of rugby league on the north coast of New South Wales last year
“This is the challenge facing the game in rural regions with people power, support and participation rates.
“I hope they don’t give up and maybe need 12 months to rebuild and get back into the league because it’s badly needed there.”
The Axemen had to fold after failing to recover from a significant loss of players at the end of last season.
“The decision to withdraw from the competition is a heartbreaking decision for all involved.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all our loyal supporters, sponsors and volunteers who have supported us over the years.
“It is thanks to your unwavering support that we were able to put together a competitive club and establish ourselves as a force to be reckoned with in Group 2 competition.
“We remain committed to our community and will continue to support rugby league in our region. We hope to turn this around for the 2024 season.”
The Axemen were saved from the brink in 2020 by South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe
Burgess was surprisingly appointed as coach of the Axemen in April last year
The former double-code England international has since returned to the Rabbitohs and is part of Jason Demetriou’s coaching staff.
Burgess has since moved and returned to South Sydney as part of Jason Demetriou’s coaching staff for this season after being linked with a reunion with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins.
Benett coached the former double-code England international during the latter’s final season with Redfern in 2019. Burgess spent eight years with the Rabbitohs and won the 2014 NRL Grand Final as the Bunnies ended a 43-year wait for a premiership.
And Burgess called on the NRL to find a way to ensure that some of the game’s biggest stars can lend their expertise to rural clubs to help the code flourish.
“I also believe there is a system somewhere where former and retired players – in transition from the NRL – can go back to where they came from in rural areas and give back to the game for a year or two,” he said. said.