Former Rabbitohs captain Sam Burgess reveals new business venture

The former Souths Sydney Rabbitohs captain has combined his love of footy, family and food with a brand new business venture, revealed by Kitchen Confidential.

Sam Burgess is following in the footsteps of former NRL stars like Adam MacDougall and Sean Garlick by getting into the food business.

Looking for a second career post playing football, a growing number of players are trying to score in the hospitality space.

Kitchen Confidential can exclusively reveal the former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain, along with his older brother Luke, has become part owner of Orara Valley Jerky from Coffs Harbour.

Burgess was first introduced to the jerky (strips of trimmed meat that’s been dried and flavoured) when he took up the position as Head Coach at The Orara Valley Axemen and he formed a friendship with former player, now assistant coach Dan Vanderdonk.

Vanderdonk’s parents founded the jerky business in 2007 and when they fell ill, he and brother Hans had taken over.

Brothers Sam and Luke Burgess are also business partners. Picture: Frank Redward

“I had never really had jerky before but I tried Dan’s and I was obsessed. I would dream of it and wake up at midnight to eat some. I ate so much that I would get a sore jaw,” he said. “I asked Dan if I could get on board and grow the business because I wanted to get the product out there.”

Vanderdonk is also a partner with brother Hans and Axemen player Ryan Gill. The five have renamed themselves the Jerky Boys and signed a distribution deal with Global Foods. They also now sell the jerky to Burgess’ old NRL club.

Friends and football identities Sam Burgess, Luke Burgess, Dan Vanderdonk, Hans Vanderdonk and Ryan Gill have joined forces. Picture: Frank Redward

“With Sam and Luke on board, it’s just opened so many doors for us,” Vanderdonk, who is also a mental-health nurse and father of four, said.

“We know the jerky is the type that converts those who don’t eat it, but that will only get you so far. Their involvement has seen us grown exponentially. We used to sell 900 bags a week, now we are selling close to 12,000.”

Burgess adds investing in a family business was also part of the appeal.

“When I met Dan I could tell he was a family man and that’s important to me,” he said.

“I’ve won the lottery,” said Sam Burgess on his new business venture, The Jerky Boys. Picture: Frank Redward

“With this business I combine my love of footy, family and food. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

This new venture comes after the two Burgess brothers partnered with pub baron Stu Laundy to buy The Bayview Hotel in Woy Woy. The jerky will also be stocked at Laundy pubs.

“Working with family businesses, you feel like you’re being looked after,” said Luke.

Established in 2007, the Orara Valley jerky is available in a variety of flavours, including hot and very hot versions. Picture: Frank Redward

While Burgess has big plans for the food business, he said “it’s also really important for us to respect the growth and manage it really well”.

The two brothers now follow in the footsteps of many NRL greats who have found a second career in the food world after footy.

In February, former Newcastle Knights star player Adam McDougall sold the majority stake in his The Man Shake and The Lady Shake nutrition company to Australian investment giant Pacific Equity Partners for $400m. McDougall and his wife Belinda remain actively working in the business.

Post his football career, Fellow South Sydney captain Sean Garlick has grown his small pie shop in Maroubra into one of the one of the countries most recognisable pie brands.

Meanwhile former players Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Kennedy and Ryan Girdler have all ventured into the hospitality industry post their playing careers, opening up cafes and restaurants.