Are they serious? George Burgess is facing suspension for this?

SOUTH Sydney’s finals hopes have taken a hit, as prop George Burgess looks likely to sit out for the next two weeks after a rather questionable citing.

IN AN unfortunate turn of events the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ last regular season game has gone from bad to worse.

A 30-point defeat is not the Bunnies’ biggest headache to come out of Friday’s match against the Roosters.

In response to what seemed like a rather inconspicuous incident, Rabbitohs prop George Burgess has been found guilty of a grade two contrary conduct charge and is facing a possible two week ban.

Following a scuffle between the two teams, Burgess was seen throwing a water bottle from South Sydney’s interchange bench, striking Roosters forward Kane Evans in the 58th minute. The prop was subsequently cited by the NRL judiciary.

While the act was certainly not in the spirit of the game, NRL fans have objected to the idea a cheeky act could warrant such a serious whack from the match review panel.

Burgess supporters appear unconvinced 116kg, two metre tall Kane Evans could have been injured by a water bottle toss.

The charge has attracted a strong response from fans.

Seriously!? @burgessgeorge will miss 2 games for throwing a 'water bottle'. What a friggen joke this is!! don't worry George😂 #toughenupNRL

— Robyn Veali (@robynveali) September 7, 2015

Wait...George Burgess getting 2 weeks for throwing a water bottle but Wighton gets 1 wk for cleaning up Soward? wow. lol

— Nightman Cometh (@MickThePerm) September 7, 2015

I can't believe George Burgess is copping a 2 game ban for throwing a bottle at a Roosters player.

— Steve Younis (@steveyounis) September 7, 2015

As stupid as it was I can't help but laugh at what George Burgess did.

— James (@JamesK_1312) September 7, 2015

This George burgess charge. This could be the straw. They've lost the plot for real now.

— James Sullivan (@jsullsyd86) September 7, 2015

A guilty verdict would see him miss his side’s elimination final against Cronulla on Sunday and a subsequent match should Souths progress any further.

The English Test front-rower will miss two games regardless of whether he pleads guilty or not guilty and his only chance to run out this weekend is if he successfully defends the charge or obtains a downgrade at the judiciary.

The match review committee took a dim view of his actions because he was sitting on the bench when he threw the plastic drink bottle at Evans.

Both Burgess and Evans were charged with contrary conduct for their part in the 58th minute scuffle.

Evans started the push and shove when he threw the ball at the head of Rabbitohs back-rower Paul Carter but will be free to play with an early guilty plea to his grade one charge.

His Roosters teammate James Maloney will also be free to play in Friday’s qualifying final against Melbourne despite being charged with tripping.

The former NSW half was charged with a grade one tripping offence after he stuck his leg out at Souths’ Kyle Turner and collected him on the thigh.

— with Steve Zemek, AAP

Originally published as Are they serious? George Burgess is facing suspension for this?