Burgess v Richardson: How South Sydney’s Cinderella story was shattered
A bitter relationship breakdown between two of South Sydney’s most influential figures was the catalyst for Shane Richardson’s departure and a fracture with Russell Crowe. This is the inside story of the ugly fallout.
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Bunnies blow-up: Did Shane Richardson get a payout?
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A broken relationship between Shane Richardson and Sam Burgess has shattered South Sydney’s Cinderella story in a dramatic aftermath to Richardson’s shock resignation this week.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal that Richardson and Burgess have barely spoken since Burgess finished playing in last year’s finals series and it is believed this was a catalyst to Richardson’s decision to walk away from the Rabbitohs.
On top of that, it is also understood the bust-up has directly led to a distancing between Burgess and club owner Russell Crowe.
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There are also claims that despite Richardson’s plea to “stop the greed” from within the game, the veteran administrator is expected to receive a significant payout as part of his resignation package. That figure is speculated to be in the vicinity of $320,000, or six months of Richardson’s salary.
These claims have unsettled staff and players at the club in a climate where everyone’s next pay cheque could be their last.
The rest of the Rabbitohs’ football and coaching staff, from Burgess and Wayne Bennett down, have been told their pay is only guaranteed until next week.
Even the players are only getting one month’s wage guaranteed.
South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly would not reveal if Richardson received a payout: “To be honest with you, it is confidential. I can’t say anything. That is part of the agreement between Richo and the club.”
Told that sounded like Richardson did get a payout, Solly said: “I can’t comment.”
Richardson maintained this week it was his decision to leave to alleviate financial stress during the coronavirus shutdown and that he was not pushed out.
There is no denying that it came after months of bad blood festered beneath the surface.
But it boiled over when Braith Anasta, on Fox League’s new morning show, raised the issue if Richardson had received a payout.
Interestingly, Anasta was sitting beside Burgess, who made no attempt to defend his former general manager of football.
Burgess did not want to comment when contacted on Friday but Anasta stood by his comments.
Anasta had said if Richardson received a payout, “it kind of contradicts” his heavy criticism of the NRL and calls to “stop the greed”.
Richardson said in a text message: “I have said all I want to. I am now a free man.”
Told that Anasta had questioned if he received a payout, Richardson responded: “Why does that not surprise me.”
Perhaps that related to the fact Anasta is the nephew of Rabbitohs legend George Piggins.
It is understood at the core of the Burgess/Richardson fallout is that Burgess felt Richardson didn’t offer him enough support as he struggled with injuries towards the back end of his career.
There was also a heated row just before last year’s semi-final loss to Canberra after Burgess was suspended the previous week.
Burgess was livid at comments Richardson made on his behalf over those “kangaroo court” remarks Burgess had directed at the NRL judiciary.
Although Richardson appeared as though he was only trying to calm a volatile situation that was brewing with the NRL, Burgess took offence and confronted him over it.
At that point, their relationship was heading on a downward slope and it never recovered.
Burgess also felt Richardson didn’t support him through his medically-forced retirement after that and that there was a lack of respect shown for the damage caused to his body over many years.
As part of Burgess’ entitlements, he was to receive all his contract money worth more than $3 million.
But he genuinely felt unwanted. When Burgess could sense his broken relationship with Richardson was never going to mend, the gloves came off.
The pair has since barely spoken, if at all.
While Richardson maintained it was his call to stand down this week, what was also worth noting on Fox League yesterday was Burgess also queried the timing of Richardson’s departure, coming in a period when the club could have used his administrative experience.
“I don’t know exactly the ins and outs of it because on Tuesday morning Shane addressed the whole football department,” Burgess said. “I know he was the GM of football there so that was his role. However, we spoke about what the next six months, four weeks, eight weeks, three months might look like and sacrifices we might have to make, myself included, of standing down without pay, and two days later a bit of a change (of direction).”
Burgess said there was “no inkling” Richardson’s resignation would come the next day.
Burgess said “obviously Shane is a very sharp operator” and he thought Richardson could have been “dominant” in helping the Rabbitohs survive the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is funny, who knows what is going on,’’ Burgess said. “I will stay out of it.”
But Anasta didn’t let it go: “No mention of whether he took a payout or not.
“But there is a lot of talk about ‘I’m leaving for the best interests of Souths and the game’, which if he didn’t take the payout that is honourable and it is spot on. But if he has taken a payout, then it kind of contradicts the whole point in my opinion. But I suppose we might find out about that, we may not.”