NRL 2022: Dragons star George Burgess enters rehab facility
George Burgess’s NRL career hangs in the balance after the Dragons prop entered a rehabilitation facility to deal with personal issues.
NRL
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George Burgess is unlikely to play again this year for St George-Illawarra after entering a rehabilitation facility to deal with personal issues.
Burgess has spent the past month receiving the professional help he requires, which is also being supported with greatest of sensitivity by the Dragons welfare team.
Only a handful of Burgess’ teammates were aware of his decision to seek professional help.
It’s understood Burgess, whose last appearance for the club was on May 1, is nearing the end of his rehabilitation process.
Given the sensitivity of the situation, St George-Illawarra officials confirmed Burgess, 30, was being guided by health professionals, but weren’t willing to divulge the nature of the matter.
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It’s also believed the decision to enter a rehabilitation facility isn’t related to the premiership-winning forward being charged with sexually touching another person without consent in March.
“St George Illawarra can confirm forward George Burgess was recently granted a leave of absence,’’ a club statement read.
“Burgess’s absence is of a personal nature and unrelated to his current criminal matter.”
The NRL has allowed Burgess to keep playing until the matter, which is listed for hearing in February, is finalised in court rather than apply the code’s controversial no-fault stand-down rule.
The 153-game forward overcame a career-threatening hip injury to make his debut with the Dragons in round two this season.
He has managed four games this year.
Originally published as NRL 2022: Dragons star George Burgess enters rehab facility
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