Why star Rabbitohs prop Tom Burgess is under pressure to step it up in 2020
Tom Burgess is on $700,000 a season which makes him one of the NRL’s highest paid props. And now that his brothers Sam and George are gone, it’s up to Tom to lead the way for South Sydney
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It is time for Tom Burgess to earn his keep.
On Friday night the only remaining Burgess brother at Redfern will lead the South Sydney pack out for their first trial against Parramatta at Ringrose Park in what is now officially the post Sam and George Burgess era.
Not only is Tom now playing without his brothers, but he is on a reported $700,000-a-season which makes him one of the game’s highest paid props.
It is easily the most money of any of the Rabbitohs forwards with the exception of Test hooker Damien Cook. Not even the outstanding Cam Murray’s wage comes close to what Tom Burgess is earning for the next two seasons.
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But after an ordinary 2019 Tom now has to take charge of a young pack that is going to be under the pump this year to create a platform for what is without doubt one of the strongest and most dangerous backlines in the comp.
With the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker, Dane Gagai and James Roberts, the Rabbitohs have the firepower to be an absolute premiership threat but it will all be depending on whether the no frills middle forwards can handle their assignment.
Tom Burgess (139 NRL games) also has the most experience of any of the South Sydney forwards with Ethan Lowe next (133) but Lowe is more likely to be playing off the bench.
Behind Tom it is a big drop experience-wise to get to the likes of Junior Tatola (51), and Liam Knight (33) who will be the other starting middle forwards following Wayne Bennett’s decision to shift Murray to an edge.
A lot of people have been speculating about what Bennett is thinking moving Murray out of the middle.
The fact is Bennett knows Murray will excel no matter where he plays but the coach believes it will be better for the overall make up of his squad if Murray starts on an edge and then shifts to the middle when Knight needs a rest.
Murray also only weighs about 93kg while Knight is around 108kg. So it will give the Rabbitohs more size, and hopefully a little less workload will also benefit Murray’s career in the long run.
The last thing Souths would want to do is let Murray bash himself into an early retirement given he only just turned 22 and plays well above his weight.
Tatola is an exceptional talent who probably still doesn’t realise how good he can be while Knight finally came of age last season and if he can improve at the same rate this year it wouldn’t be beyond him to charge into NSW Origin contention.
Bennett has a huge opinion of both players but it is Tom who he has to count on to lead the charge.
The Burgess twins Tom and George always said they wanted to be known as individuals and now that wish has been granted with George over playing in the English Super League.
While Bennett won’t be playing any of his backline stars against the Eels, most of the forwards are going to be out there trying to win a place in the squad for the Charity Shield against St George Illawarra with the exception of Murray, Tatola and probably Jaydn Su’A.
Mark Nicholls, Tom Amone, Patrick Mago and Keaon Koloamatangi are the other middle forwards likely to be given a shot against the Eels on Friday night.
SUPERCOACH INSIDER
by Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland
Cameron Murray, 2RF, $664,900
Murray’s move to an edge could work both ways. On the plus side, he could up his game time to 80 minutes after averaging just 59 minutes last year. But to cancel that out, expect Murray’s work rate (especially runs and tackles) to drop dramatically playing wider. Either way, with the above question marks, Murray’s $664,900 price tag is big risk. Expect Murray’s ownership to drop considerably (he’s currently the 10th most popular player).
Jaydn Su’A, 2RF, $303,600
The former Bronco is already the 25th most popular player in SuperCoach but expect his ownership to soar following news he has scored an edge back row spot. Su’A is therefore a chance of 80 minutes, a huge increase on his average of 41 minutes last season.
Liam Knight, FRF, $437,300
Knight, who recently signed a new four-year deal at the club, will be given an opportunity to make the lock-forward spot his own. Knight, currently the 21st most popular front rower in KFC SuperCoach, averaged 58PPG in matches where he played more than 45 minutes last year and his ownership is set to soar with more minutes on offer.
Tom Amone, Keaon Koloamatangi, Bayley Sironen, Kurt Dillon and Ky Rodwell
All are in contention for a bench spots, all are at or near bottom dollar and all are now firmly on the cheapie radar. Watch this space.
Originally published as Why star Rabbitohs prop Tom Burgess is under pressure to step it up in 2020