George Burgess reveals NRL career likely over after rift with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin

George Burgess opens up with brutal honesty about his departure from the St George Illawarra Dragons and why he could not work with coach Anthony Griffin.

George Burgess says he clashed with coach Anthony Griffin.

George Burgess has opened up with brutal honesty about the breakdown of his relationship with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin, revealing “I just didn’t get along with Hook” and “he pretty much wrote me off”.

It comes as Dragons legend Matt Cooper also launched a stunning attack, claiming the club has “no loyalty and honour anymore”.

In an extraordinarily personal account of what led the giant Englishman to request a release from the final year of his contract, Burgess, 30, conceded it will probably mean the end of his NRL career.

But he said he just couldn’t face another pre-season at the Dragons knowing that the coach did not support him.

“It is disappointing if it is the end of my career,” Burgess said.

“But I just didn’t get along with Hook and he made it pretty clear to me, he pretty much wrote me off.

George Burgess says he clashed with coach Anthony Griffin.

“So I wasn’t too keen to go back to train under him to be honest.

“At the end of the day all you want is a coach to believe in you.

“There is no point me going back there if the coach doesn’t believe in me.”

Burgess wanted to make it clear he was not “bagging the club” but just being honest about his own personal situation.

Though there is no hiding from the fact it comes amid recent speculation that other players are also struggling under Griffin’s coaching style.

Burgess would not speak about the rumoured situations confronting other players.

“As a club I got on well with everyone,” Burgess said.

“Ryan Webb the CEO was great as was the welfare manager Scott Stewart and the football manager Benny Haran.

“I am not bagging the club at all.

“It was the coach’s preference in the end and I am man enough to accept that.

The Dragons have parted ways with George Burgess. Picture: NRL Images

“I just wasn’t willing to go back into that environment where I was fighting against the tide.

“For me as a player I need a coach to believe in me.”

Asked if it was his decision to request a release, Burgess added: “I said if you don’t want me you are going to have to release me from my contract.

“We sort of came to an agreement.”

The club is facing a culture crisis after an embarrassing turnout for the end of season presentation night.

“I can’t believe 3 players went to the #redv awards night!!! Actually I can!” club great Cooper tweeted on Monday night.

“The club has no loyalty and honour anymore. That all stopped when Wayne Bennett left.”

I can’t believe 3 players went to the #redv awards night!!!
Actually I can! The club has no loyalty and honour anymore. That all stopped when Wayne Bennett left.

— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) October 17, 2022

Burgess joined the Dragons after undergoing career-saving hip surgery but only managed four NRL games.

Further injuries hampered his season while he also took time out to deal with personal issues.

But he conceded what he felt was a lack of support from his coach as well as an upcoming court trial have left him questioning if he wants to play on.

Burgess has pleaded not guilty to allegations of sexually touching a woman without consent.

The matter will go to trial next year.

Asked if he wanted to continue his career at another NRL club, Burgess said right now he needed to take time out.

George Burgess spent plenty of time on the sidelines during his stint at the Dragons. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I don’t know,” he said.

“I am just going to take a bit of time off and see what happens.

“Obviously I still have plenty in me but it is just the whole mental side and the games that coaches play and the media.

“That is the stuff that is wearing a bit thin on me.

“It has been a hard year but I am ready to just take a break to be honest.

“I will be staying in Australia.

“I have three young kids to think about so I will be just looking for work and go from there.”

Burgess played 149 games with South Sydney which included a starring role in the Rabbitohs’ drought-breaking 2014 premiership triumph.

Originally published as George Burgess reveals NRL career likely over after rift with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin