The first run at Cairns Brothers for 15-time English international George Burgess has ended in a thrilling victory over fierce rivals Innisfail Leprechauns.
The former Rabbitohs and Dragons prop – who played 153 NRL games, including five in Cairns – knocked out 45 minutes in the 20-18 win, having only had his first field session in months last week.
The two sides went just about try for try for the first 50 minutes, but Brothers could not find a conversion; the visitors to a soon-to-be revamped Stan Williams Park leading 18-12 at one stage.
A hat-trick to winger Bronson Ryan kept them in the hunt before his teammate on the other extremity, Cedrick Valentine, scored to put Brothers in the lead, which they held on to until the final whistle.
Burgess said on Monday he was feeling a bit sore after mixing it with a tough Innisfail forward pack, but was happy to get the two points for his new side.
“They had a big pack and were ready for the challenge and up for playing against us, because I think we knocked them out of the finals last year,” he said.
“It was a tough game, but we managed to hold on at the end after getting a late try.
“It was good to get back out there on the field in the boots with the boys.”
But Burgess, who had radical hip surgery two years ago to extend his playing career, didn’t head to Far North Queensland with a goal of playing local A grade.
The 31-year-old said it was Brothers’ work in the community, from All Abilities rugby league to schools and supporting the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, that lured him to Cairns.
“I suppose the playing side was secondary for me. It was halfway through the year and I did say I’d offer my services as a player and coach and helping out the juniors, but it is good fun to get out there, and I’m not thinking too far ahead,” Burgess said.
He said getting involved in the community was something he enjoyed while playing in the NRL and he hoped to put some smiles on faces of all ages once again.
“It’s a space I had a lot do with in Sydney with the Windgap Foundation, and they do a lot of great work, so to be able to carry on that up here is really awesome. You don’t realise the impact you can have on other people until you do it, so it’s really nice,” Burgess said.
“Just turning up to training and seeing all the faces and all the young kids turning out who absolutely love their rugby league is awesome, so if I can have any impact on them, it’s a win for me.
“It’s good to bring people together and it was a good vibe out there yesterday.”
A number of former NRL players, including Josh Dugan and Cowboys premiership winner Scott Bolton, are playing in the FNQRL competition this year.
Burgess said he had spoken to Dugan prior to signing on with Brothers, and was looking forward to facing him on the field in their next match against Ivanhoes following the upcoming bye.
Main image: Burgess hits it up for Brothers at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka
QRL North region
2023 FNQRL Men’s A grade
Round 7 results
Mareeba Gladiators 32 def Yarrabah Seahawks 26
Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 28 def Atherton Roosters 10
Cairns Kangaroos 60 def Southern Suburbs 10
Ivanhoes Knights 44 def Edmonton Storm 20
Cairns Brothers 20 def Innisfail Leprechauns 18
Ladder
2023 FNQRL Open Women’s
Round 5 results
Atherton Roosters 26 def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 0
Ivanhoes Knights Maidens 34 def Edmonton Storm 0
Ladder
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Souths Bulls 30 def Western Lions 12
Centrals Tigers 22 def Burdekin Roosters 16
Charters Towers Miners 30 def Herbert River Crushers 6
Brothers Townsville 24 def Norths Devils 14
Ladder
2023 Rugby League Townsville District Open Women
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Centrals Tigers 24 def Burdekin Roosters 12
Herbert River Crushers 22 def Charters Towers Miners 4
Brothers Townsville 14 def Norths Devils 0
Ladder
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Round 4 results
Wanderers 44 def Townies 14
Ladder
NQBE Mackay Men’s A Grade
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Mackay Brothers 32 def Souths Sharks 10
Moranbah Miners 50 def Sarina Crocodiles 14
Whitsunday Brahmans 38 def Wests Tigers 20
Mackay Magpies 56 def Carltons Devils 24
Ladder
2023 Mackay Airport Women’s A grade
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Moranbah Miners 34 def Sarina Crocodiles 0
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South East region
2023 South East Women’s Holcim Cup
Round 5 results
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Goodna Eagles 32 def Ormeau Shearers 12
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Valleys Diehards 26 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 14
Ladder
2023 Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade
Round 7 results
Valleys Diehards 24 def Souths Juniors 18
Carina Juniors 52 def Pine Rivers Bears 14
Bulimba Bulldogs 48 def Normanby Hounds 28
West Brisbane Panthers 30 def Wynnum Manly Junior 18
Brighton Roosters 52 def Beenleigh Pride 10
Ladder
2023 Rugby League Gold Coast Men’s A Grade
Round 5 results
Southport Tigers 42 def Currumbin Eagles 10
Helensvale Hornets 40 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 26
Burleigh Bears 32 def Tugun Seahawks 12
Ladder
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Redbank Plains Bears 40 def Fassifern Bombers 14
Swifts Bluebirds 44 def Norths Tigers 20
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Central region
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Round 7 results
Wests Panthers 80 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 2
Past Brothers 44 def Wallaroos 10
Easts Magpies 22 def Waves Tigers 14
Ladder
2023 Central Burnett Rugby League Men’s A grade
Round 5 results
Eidsvold Eagles 52 def Monto Roos 26
Gayndah Gladiators 36 def Mundubbera Tigers 24
Ladder
2023 Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men’s A Grade
Round 7 results
Springsure Mountain Men 36 def Bluff Rabbitohs 16
Emerald Tigers 46 def Emerald Brothers 20
Dysart Bulls def Blackwater Crushers (forfeit)
Clermont Bears def Peak Downs Pirates (forfeit)
Ladder
2023 SRO Technology Central Highlands Ladies Competition
Round 5 results
Emerald Tigers 40 def Emerald Brothers 10
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Northern Districts Rugby League 2023 Men’s Premiership
Round 7 results
Gin Gin Hawks def Miriam Vale Magpies (forfeit)
Avondale Tigers 25 def Isis Devils 24
Ladder
2023 Rockhampton Men’s A Grade
Round 8 results
Emu Park 20 drew with Yeppoon Seagulls 20
Brothers Rockhampton 38 def Norths Chargers 26
Ladder
2023 Intersport Yeppoon Rockhampton Open Women’s Premiership
Round 8 results
Wallaby RLFC 30 def Yeppoon Seagulls 8
Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 22 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 10
Brothers Rockhampton 84 def Norths Chargers 0
Ladder
2023 Roma District Rugby League Men’s A-grade
Round 5 results
St George 36 def Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 34
Red Bulls 22 def Miles Devils 12
Roma Cities 34 def Chinchilla Bulldogs 24
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Wide Bay Open Women’s
Wondai Proston Wolves 28 def Cherbourg Hornets 14
Fraser Coast Crushers v Bundaberg Bears
Ladder
Updated ladder not available at time of publishing
2023 Rugby League Gladstone Men’s A grade
Round 4 results
Brothers Gladstone def Wallaby RLFC (forfeit)
Valleys 18 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 6
Ladder
2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men’s A Grade
Round 7 results
Beerwah Bulldogs 26 def Nambour Crushers 0
Kawana Dolphins 30 def Caboolture Snakes 16
Coolum Colts 24 def Caloundra Sharks 22
Noosa Pirates 42 def Maroochydore Swans 32
Ladder
2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women
Round 7 results
Beerwah Bulldogs 36 def Nambour Crushers 6
Kawana Dolphins 28 drew with Caboolture Snakes 28
Caloundra Sharks 20 def Gympie Devils 0
Ladder
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Cherbourg Hornets 72 def Murgon Mustangs 16
Kingaroy Red Ants 62 def Wondai Proston Wolves 12
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Pittsworth Danes 24 def Dalby Diehards 22
Wattles Warriors 40 def Goondiwindi Boars 16
Gatton Hawks 24 def Townsville Brothers 4
Southern Suburbs 32 def Warwick Cowboys 8
Highfields Eagles 44 def Newtown Lions 22
Toowoomba Valleys 30 def Oakey Bears 24
Ladder
Toowoomba Rugby League Toowoomba Sports Club A Grade Women 2023
Round 6 results
Oakey Bears 48 def Toowoomba Valleys 4
Newtown Lions 72 def Highfields Eagles 0
Ladder
2023 Border Rugby League Men’s A grade
Round 5 results
Inglewood Roosters def McIntyre Warriors (forfeit)
Texas Terriers 40 def Eastern Suburbs Hornets 10
Tenterfield Tigers 26 def Stanthorpe Gremlins 10
Ladder