Broncos told to sign off-contract Rabbitohs prop George Burgess

Brisbane’s midfield mauling in the 36-4 rout to the Roosters has led to calls for the club to launch a poaching raid on South Sydney to give the Broncos the premiership-winning enforcer they are missing.

The trick would be tempting Burgess away from Sydney and his brothers. Image: Phil Hillyard

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Brisbane have been urged to launch a multimillion-dollar poaching raid on South Sydney giant George Burgess to give the Broncos the premiership-winning enforcer they are missing.

The off-season departure of Sam Thaiday (retirement) and Josh McGuire (Cowboys) has taken 498 NRL games out of a Broncos forward pack that has been comprehensively dominated in the opening month of the premiership.

The Broncos enter Thursday night’s clash against Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium teetering with a 1-3 record as NRL rivals exploit Brisbane’s highly-talented but extremely inexperienced midfield.

Melbourne and the Dragons both outpointed Brisbane’s front six and coach Anthony Seibold was left to lament another midfield mauling in the Broncos’ 36-4 rout on Thursday night which represented their worst-ever loss to the Roosters.

Burgess would over some much-needed heft and experience. Image: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

While there is understandable hype around Brisbane’s young guns, including back-row gems David Fifita and Jaydn Su’A, the Broncos’ front-row lacks a seasoned standover man.

Brisbane’s five props this season — Joe Ofahengaue (74 matches), Tevita Pangai Jr (58), Matt Lodge (39), Tom Flegler (four) and Payne Haas (three) — are not even close to reaching 100 games in their NRL careers.

The NRL’s leading enforcers — Cowboys’ Matt Scott (255), Melbourne’s Jesse Bromwich (206) and Roosters hitman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (202) — leave Brisbane’s front-row in the shade on the score of experience.

Broncos legend Steve Renouf believes Burgess is the answer. The off-contract Rabbitohs prop and Pangai Jr are the two most damaging bookends on the open market and Renouf is adamant Burgess would bring instant authority and muscle to Brisbane’s engine room.

The Broncos have talent but they need a leader. Image: Matt King/Getty Images

“The Broncos should sign George Burgess. They need a hardhead like him,” Renouf said.

“Matt Lodge needs help up front. He is an excellent young prop but he needs a senior enforcer to lead the way.

“I know it’s not easy with the salary cap and I don’t know if Brisbane can afford him, but George Burgess would be a good asset.

“I love the way the Burgess boys play. Lodge would be a great foil for someone like George Burgess.”

The trick would be tempting Burgess away from Sydney and his brothers. Image: Phil Hillyard

Burgess, who turns 27 in a fortnight, has played 137 NRL games. The 120kg monster was a member of Souths’ 2014 premiership team and has amassed 16,443 running metres since his debut in 2012 at an average of 120m per game.

Burgess last month spurned a $1.8 million three-year offer from the Eels to honour his deal with Souths this year, but the Broncos have a trump card in coach Anthony Seibold.

Seibold mentored Burgess at Redfern last season and the English Test star credited the NRL’s coach-of-the-year for his barnstorming form revival in 2018 after two injury-plagued years.

The Broncos are currently battling salary-cap issues. They would need to consider offloading off-contract duo Pangai Jr and Alex Glenn to accommodate a player of Burgess’ status.

But Burgess has not ruled out exploring his options, telling Sydney media: “I would love to stay at Redfern but you have a short career and you have to make the most of it.

“For me, I am always playing for my pride really in myself.

“If I start thinking too much about playing for a contract, that is going to affect me in the wrong way.”