Bulldog’s Bite: George Burgess’ acting gig | Plus weekend highlights and lowlights
Former Rabbitohs prop George Burgess is taking the next step in his leap from the football field to the big screen. Plus Dean Ritchie’s weekend highlights and lowlights.
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Wests Tigers star John Bateman has taken to social media in an attempt to track down the thieves who stole a heap of stone from the backyard patio of his Bolton home in the north of England.
The 30-year-old has spent time in the UK since helping England complete a 3-0 Test whitewash victory over Tonga on home soil last month.
A clearly unimpressed Bateman posted three photos of his pillaged yard on Sunday, in a post that had more than 44,000 views in the first few hours.
“If anyone in the Bolton or surrounding areas has been offered, or knows of anyone offering Yorkshire stone to buy, get in touch with me,” Bateman posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
“(I’ve) had my garden stripped of it and want to find the scruffy t***s!!!”
The Yorkshire public was quick to get behind the rugged edge forward.
If anyone in the Bolton or surrounding areas has been offered or knows of anyone offering Yorkshire stone to buy get in in touch with me.
— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) December 16, 2023
Iv had my garden stripped of it and want to find the scruffy twats!!! pic.twitter.com/arLeuf2h22
“I’m landscaping in Bolton (heaton area) I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. Can’t have anything these says unless it’s bolted down,” one user posted.
While another added: “Imagine getting home and someone’s lifted your patio.”
Although he found trouble at home, Bateman has been away from the drama back at Concord where, last week, the Tigers board was cleaned out, with chair Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe also departing.
However, new interim CEO Shane Richardson has made his presence felt almost immediately, with champion Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai on the verge of agreeing a monster five-year deal with the club, worth a staggering $6 million, for the 2025 season.
HOLLYWOOD CALLING
Here is the first look at George Burgess taking the next step in his leap from the football field to the big screen.
The former NRL prop makes a cameo in the new Australian film, Christmess, where he plays a bouncer named Joe.
The 99-minute movie was filmed in western Sydney and even includes scenes at Campbelltown Stadium.
Written and directed by Heath Davis, the comedy-drama is now streaming on Foxtel and Binge and stars Steve Le Marquand, Darren Gilshenan and Hannah Joy, from rock band Middle Kids.
Asked about Burgess’ scene, Davis says: “It’s a big moment in the movie.”
Burgess played 161 first-grade games in stints with South Sydney, St George Illawarra and Wigan, before finishing his on-field career in north Queensland this year with a premiership playing for Cairns Brothers.
His twin brother, Tom Burgess, is in the final year of his NRL contract with South Sydney, while older brother Sam is taking his first foray into head coaching by taking the reins at UK Super League club Warrington.
Having almost retired in 2021 after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery, George Burgess returned to the NRL last year, before joining Cairns for a swan song in the local competition.
Now, the 31-year-old is accruing a handy IMDB page, having taken acting classes while he was still playing rugby league
Burgess previously had a cameo role in Russell Crowe’s movie ‘Land Of Bad’, alongside Hollywood star Liam Hemsworth, which is due for release in 2024.
He appeared in Davis’ last movie, Locusts, in 2019, and also secured a role in a UFC movie that begins shooting in January, called ‘The Beast in Me’.
The synopsis for Christmess reads: “A once famous actor is now performing as Santa Claus in a mall because of his alcohol addiction. After accidentally meeting his estranged daughter, he seeks help for his recovery in order to win his daughter’s forgiveness.”
BAMPTON’S HEALTH BATTLE
Thoughts are with one of rugby league’s most popular men, former Souths champion Darrell Bampton, who is battling health issues. Get well, Number Nine. And a shout out to former Parramatta and Penrith centre John Moran, who is also struggling with illness. Moran famously threw the pass which Eels winger Neville Glover dropped, with a possible matchwinning try looming, in the 1976 grand final loss to Manly.
HIGHLIGHT
I liked and admired ex-Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis. He worked tirelessly for his Wests Tigers but dumping the chairman, CEO and board was the only way forward for this lamentable club.
LOWLIGHT
After months of denials and creative explanations, it was finally confirmed that Eddie Jones had signed a four-year deal to take over as coach of Japan. What a shameful episode in Australian rugby history.
SPOTTED
NRL judiciary chairman and former Manly chairman Geoff Bellew being appointed as the one-man Racing Appeals Tribunal. The position is ratified by the Minister for Gaming and Racing on the recommendation of the NSW Attorney-General.
SPOTTED
Bulldogs giant Viliame Kikau posing for selfies and signing autographs at Bunnings, Penrith.
SPOTTED
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton visiting NRL clubs to outline his union’s plans and vision for 2024.
SPOTTED
Roosters and NSW assistant coach Matt King jogging at Coolangatta during the week.
SPOTTED
Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns and Aussie actor Brendan Cowell having a chat at Bronte Beach. Sharks tragic Cowell was wearing a Cronulla T-shirt with Hynes 7 on the back.
SPOTTED
Former premiership-winning player John ‘Bomber’ Peard having a quiet drink at Woolooware Golf Club with Test cricket legend Steve Waugh shopping at nearby Woolworths, Caringbah Village.
SHOOSH
Which former NSW and Australian player has agreed to coach Campbelltown City Kangaroos women’s side next season?
SHOOSH
Which son-of-a-gun is poised to leave the NRL for Super League?
SHOOSH
Which former Queensland forward appeared in a Sydney court last week?
SHOOSH
Which well-known club CEO talks up his golf game but sits on a modest handicap of 18.1?
SHOOSH
Which NRL star is becoming fed-up with paparazzi photographers lurking outside his Sydney home?
SHOOSH
Which Australian golfer could be the next star to join the LIV tour?
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