You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Statewide score wrap: Burgess focuses on community after Brothers debut win

The first run at Cairns Brothers for 15-time English international George Burgess has ended in a thrilling victory over fierce rivals Innisfail Leprechauns.

The former Rabbitohs and Dragons prop - who played 153 NRL games, including five in Cairns - knocked out 45 minutes in the 20-18 win, having only had his first field session in months last week.

The two sides went just about try for try for the first 50 minutes, but Brothers could not find a conversion; the visitors to a soon-to-be revamped Stan Williams Park leading 18-12 at one stage.

A hat-trick to winger Bronson Ryan kept them in the hunt before his teammate on the other extremity, Cedrick Valentine, scored to put Brothers in the lead, which they held on to until the final whistle.

Burgess said on Monday he was feeling a bit sore after mixing it with a tough Innisfail forward pack, but was happy to get the two points for his new side.

The Innisfail pack didn't give an inch. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka
The Innisfail pack didn't give an inch. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka

"They had a big pack and were ready for the challenge and up for playing against us, because I think we knocked them out of the finals last year," he said.

"It was a tough game, but we managed to hold on at the end after getting a late try.

"It was good to get back out there on the field in the boots with the boys."

But Burgess, who had radical hip surgery two years ago to extend his playing career, didn't head to Far North Queensland with a goal of playing local A grade.

Brothers v Innisfail at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka
Brothers v Innisfail at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka

The 31-year-old said it was Brothers' work in the community, from All Abilities rugby league to schools and supporting the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, that lured him to Cairns.

"I suppose the playing side was secondary for me. It was halfway through the year and I did say I'd offer my services as a player and coach and helping out the juniors, but it is good fun to get out there, and I'm not thinking too far ahead," Burgess said.

He said getting involved in the community was something he enjoyed while playing in the NRL and he hoped to put some smiles on faces of all ages once again.

"It's a space I had a lot do with in Sydney with the Windgap Foundation, and they do a lot of great work, so to be able to carry on that up here is really awesome. You don't realise the impact you can have on other people until you do it, so it's really nice," Burgess said.

"Just turning up to training and seeing all the faces and all the young kids turning out who absolutely love their rugby league is awesome, so if I can have any impact on them, it's a win for me.

Brothers v Innisfail at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka
Brothers v Innisfail at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka

"It's good to bring people together and it was a good vibe out there yesterday."

A number of former NRL players, including Josh Dugan and Cowboys premiership winner Scott Bolton, are playing in the FNQRL competition this year.

Burgess said he had spoken to Dugan prior to signing on with Brothers, and was looking forward to facing him on the field in their next match against Ivanhoes following the upcoming bye.

Main image: Burgess hits it up for Brothers at Stan Williams Park. Photo: Vilimone Baleilevuka

QRL North region

2023 FNQRL Men's A grade

Round 7 results

Mareeba Gladiators 32 def Yarrabah Seahawks 26
Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 28 def Atherton Roosters 10
Cairns Kangaroos 60 def Southern Suburbs 10
Ivanhoes Knights 44 def Edmonton Storm 20
Cairns Brothers 20 def Innisfail Leprechauns 18

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Cairns Kangaroos 6 5 1 0 1 118 12
2 Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 6 5 1 0 1 70 12
3 Ivanhoes Knights 7 5 2 0 0 122 10
4 Cairns Brothers 7 5 2 0 0 60 10
5 Innisfail Leprechauns 7 4 3 0 0 90 8
6 Yarrabah Seahawks 6 3 3 0 1 -36 8
7 Tully Tigers 6 2 3 1 1 -30 7
8 Mareeba Gladiators 7 3 4 0 0 -48 6
9 Edmonton Storm 5 1 4 0 2 -86 6
10 Atherton Roosters 7 1 5 1 0 -12 3
11 Southern Suburbs 6 0 6 0 1 -248 2

2023 FNQRL Open Women's 

Round 5 results

Atherton Roosters 26 def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 0
Ivanhoes Knights Maidens 34 def Edmonton Storm 0

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Atherton Roosters 4 3 1 0 1 70 8
2 Cairns Kangaroos 3 2 1 0 2 22 8
3 Yarrabah Seahawks 3 2 1 0 2 2 8
4 Ivanhoes Knights Maidens 4 3 1 0 0 60 6
5 Edmonton Storm 4 2 2 0 1 22 6
6 Tully Tigers 3 0 3 0 2 -46 4
7 Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 3 0 3 0 2 -130 4

2023 Rugby League Townsville District Men's A grade

Round 6 results

Souths Bulls 30 def Western Lions 12
Centrals Tigers 22 def Burdekin Roosters 16
Charters Towers Miners 30 def Herbert River Crushers 6
Brothers Townsville 24 def Norths Devils 14

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Brothers Townsville 6 5 1 0 0 39 10
2 Centrals Tigers 6 4 1 0 1 26 10
3 Charters Towers Miners 6 2 2 0 2 26 8
4 Burdekin Roosters 6 3 3 0 0 48 6
5 Souths Bulls 6 2 3 0 1 17 6
6 Herbert River Crushers 6 1 3 1 1 -53 5
7 Norths Devils 6 1 3 1 1 -76 5
8 Western Lions 6 2 4 0 0 -27 4

2023 Rugby League Townsville District Open Women

Round 6 results

Centrals Tigers 24 def Burdekin Roosters 12
Herbert River Crushers 22 def Charters Towers Miners 4
Brothers Townsville 14 def Norths Devils 0

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Brothers Townsville 6 3 1 0 2 36 10
2 Western Lions 5 4 0 1 0 66 9
3 Burdekin Roosters 6 3 2 0 1 42 8
4 Central Tigers 5 3 1 0 1 22 8
5 Herbert River Crushers 6 1 3 1 1 -42 5
6 Charters Towers Miners 6 0 4 0 2 -48 4
7 Norths Devils 6 1 4 0 1 -76 4

Mt Isa Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 4 results

Wanderers 44 def Townies 14

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Wanderers 4 3 0 0 1 68 16
2 Brothers 3 0 2 0 2 -26 10
3 Townies 4 1 2 0 1 -42 10

NQBE Mackay Men's A Grade 

Round 6 results

Mackay Brothers 32 def Souths Sharks 10

Moranbah Miners 50 def Sarina Crocodiles 14

Whitsunday Brahmans 38 def Wests Tigers 20

Mackay Magpies 56 def Carltons Devils 24

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Mackay Magpies 6 6 0 0 0 162 12
2 Mackay Brothers 6 4 2 0 0 70 8
3 Moranbah Miners 6 4 2 0 0 28 8
4 Souths Sharks 6 3 3 0 0 -4 6
5 Whitsunday Brahmans 6 3 3 0 0 -80 6
6 Sarina Crocodiles 6 2 4 0 0 -6 4
7 Wests Tigers 6 1 5 0 0 -72 2
8 Carltons Devils 6 1 5 0 0 -98 2

2023 Mackay Airport Women's A grade

Round 2 results

Mackay Brothers 48 def Souths Sharks 0

Moranbah Miners 34 def Sarina Crocodiles 0

Mackay Magpies 28 def Carltons Devils 6

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Mackay Brothers 2 2 0 0 0 108  
2 Mackay Magpies 2 2 0 0 0 52  
3 Carltons Devils 2 1 1 0 0 0  
4 Moranbah Miners 2 1 1 0 0 -26  
5 Sarina Crocodiles 2 0 2 0 0 -56  
6 Souths Sharks 2 0 2 0 0 -78  

South East region

2023 South East Women's Holcim Cup

Round 5 results

Beenleigh Pride 34 def Nerang Roosters 14

Goodna Eagles 32 def Ormeau Shearers 12

Currumbin Eagles def Wynnum Manly Seagulls (forfeit)

Valleys Diehards 26 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 14

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Goodna Eagles 5 5 0 0 0 142 10
2 Currumbin Eagles 5 4 1 0 0 50 8
3 Ormeau Shearers 5 3 2 0 0 64 6
4 Nerang Roosters 5 2 3 0 0 -18 4
5 Beenleigh Pride 5 2 3 0 0 -38 4
6 Valleys Diehards 5 2 3 0 0 -50 4
7 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 5 2 2 0 0 -62 4
8 Runaway Bay Seagulls 5 0 4 0 0 -88 0

2023 Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade

Round 7 results

Valleys Diehards 24 def Souths Juniors 18

Carina Juniors 52 def Pine Rivers Bears 14

Bulimba Bulldogs 48 def Normanby Hounds 28

West Brisbane Panthers 30 def Wynnum Manly Junior 18

Brighton Roosters 52 def Beenleigh Pride 10

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 West Brisbane Panthers 8 7 1 0 0 122 22
2 Wynnum Manly Juniors 8 6 2 0 0 142 20
3 Valleys Diehards 8 6 2 0 0 115 20
4 Bulimba Bulldogs 8 4 3 1 0 40 17
5 Normanby Hounds 8 4 4 0 0 -32 16
6 Beenleigh Pride 8 4 4 0 0 -49 16
7 Souths Juniors 8 3 4 1 0 -22 15
8 Brighton Roosters 8 3 5 0 0 52 14
9 Carina Juniors 8 2 6 0 0 -42 12
10 Pine Rivers Bears 8 0 8 0 0 -326 8

2023 Rugby League Gold Coast Men's A Grade

Round 5 results

Southport Tigers 42 def Currumbin Eagles 10

Helensvale Hornets 40 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 26

Burleigh Bears 32 def Tugun Seahawks 12

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Southport Tigers 5 4 1 0 0 136 13
2 Burleigh Bears 4 4 0 0 0 110 12
3 Tugun Seahawks 5 1 3 1 0 14 8
4 Currumbin Eagles 4 2 2 0 0 -4 8
5 Runaway Bay Seagulls 5 1 3 1 0 -100 8
6 Helensvale Hornets 5 1 4 0 0 -156 7

Ipswich Jets A Grade Cup

Round 7 results

Redbank Plains Bears 40 def Fassifern Bombers 14

Swifts Bluebirds 44 def Norths Tigers 20

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Swifts Bluebirds 6 5 1 0 1 70 12
2 Redbank Plains Bears 6 4 2 0 1 56 10
3 Brothers Ipswich 6 1 3 0 3 -28 8
4 Fassifern Bombers 4 3 3 0 1 -48 8
5 Norths Tigers 6 1 5 0 1 -50 4

Central region

2023 4BU/HITZ FM Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade Men

Round 7 results

Wests Panthers 80 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 2

Past Brothers 44 def Wallaroos 10

Easts Magpies 22 def Waves Tigers 14

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Past Brothers 7 7 0 1 0 190 13
2 Easts Magpies 7 4 2 1 0 56 9
3 Waves Tigers 7 4 3 0 0 72 8
4 Wests Panthers 7 3 4 0 0 110 6
5 Wallaroos 7 3 4 0 0 -14 6
6 Hervey Bay Seagulls 7 0 7 0 0 -414 0

2023 Central Burnett Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 5 results

Eidsvold Eagles 52 def Monto Roos 26
Gayndah Gladiators 36 def Mundubbera Tigers 24

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Gayndah Gladiators 4 4 0 0 0 82 8
2 Mundubbera Tigers 4 3 1 0 0 68 6
3 Eidsvold Eagles 5 1 4 0 0 -34 2
4 Monto Roos 5 1 4 0 0 -116 2

2023 Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men's A Grade

Round 7 results

Springsure Mountain Men 36 def Bluff Rabbitohs 16
Emerald Tigers 46 def Emerald Brothers 20
Dysart Bulls def Blackwater Crushers (forfeit)
Clermont Bears def Peak Downs Pirates (forfeit)

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Dysart Bulls 6 6 6 0 1 162 14
2 Emerald Tigers 6 5 5 0 1 162 12
3 Clermont Bears 6 4 4 0 1 132 10
4 Peak Downs Pirates 6 3 3 1 1 14 9
5 Emerald Brothers 6 3 3 0 1 -12 8
6 Bluff Rabbitohs 6 2 2 1 1 -76 7
7 Springsure Mountain Men 7 3 3 0 0 -92 6
8 Middlemount Panthers 6 1 1 0 0 -128 2
9 Blackwater Crushers 7 0 0 0 0 -162 0

2023 SRO Technology Central Highlands Ladies Competition

Round 5 results

Emerald Tigers 40 def Emerald Brothers 10

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Emerald Tigers 3 3 0 0 0 136 6
2 Blackwater Crushers 3 2 1 0 0 10 4
3 Bluff Bunnies 2 0 2 0 0 -68 0
4 Emerald Brothers 2 0 2 0 0 -78 0

Northern Districts Rugby League 2023 Men's Premiership

Round 7 results

Gin Gin Hawks def Miriam Vale Magpies (forfeit)
Avondale Tigers 25 def Isis Devils 24

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Isis Devils 6 5 1 0 1 107 10
2 South Kolan Sharks 5 3 1 1 2 72 7
3 Avondale Tigers 5 3 2 0 2 -17 6
4 Gin Gin Hawks 6 2 3 1 1 -48 5
5 Miriam Vale Magpies 6 0 6 0 1 -114 0

2023 Rockhampton Men's A Grade

Round 8 results

Emu Park 20 drew with Yeppoon Seagulls 20
Brothers Rockhampton 38 def Norths Chargers 26

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Brothers Rockhampton 6 5 1 0 2 32 10
2 Norths Chargers 7 4 3 0 1 29 8
3 Yeppoon Seagulls 7 2 3 2 1 28 6
4 Emu Park 6 2 2 2 2 17 6
5 Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 6 1 5 0 2 -106 2

2023 Intersport Yeppoon Rockhampton Open Women's Premiership

Round 8 results

Wallaby RLFC 30 def Yeppoon Seagulls 8
Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 22 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 10
Brothers Rockhampton 84 def Norths Chargers 0

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Wallaby RLFC 7 7 0 0 1 170  
2 Brothers Rockhampton 7 5 1 1 1 176  
3 Emu Park 6 4 2 0 2 80  
4 Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 7 3 3 1 1 -2  
5 Yeppoon Seagulls 7 2 5 0 1 -59  
6 Tannum Sands Seagulls 7 2 5 0 1 -129  
7 Norths Chargers 7 0 7 0 1 -236  

2023 Roma District Rugby League Men's A-grade

Round 5 results

St George 36 def Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 34
Red Bulls 22 def Miles Devils 12
Roma Cities 34 def Chinchilla Bulldogs 24

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Red Bulls 4 4 0 0 1 160 16
2 Mitchell Magpies 4 4 0 0 1 114 16
3 Roma Cities 5 3 2 0 0 -18 12
4 Miles Devils 4 2 2 0 1 0 8
5 Chinchilla Bulldogs 4 1 3 0 1 -10 4
6 St George 4 1 3 0 1 -94 4
7 Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 5 0 5 0 0 -144 0

Wide Bay Open Women's

Wondai Proston Wolves 28 def Cherbourg Hornets 14
Fraser Coast Crushers v Bundaberg Bears

Ladder

Updated ladder not available at time of publishing

2023 Rugby League Gladstone Men's A grade

Round 4 results

Brothers Gladstone def Wallaby RLFC (forfeit)
Valleys 18 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 6

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Valleys 4 4 0 0 0 68 8
2 Brothers Gladstone 4 2 2 0 0 40 4
3 Tannum Sands Seagulls 4 2 2 0 0 20 4
4 Wallaby RLFC 4 0 4 0 0 -128 0

2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men's A Grade

Round 7 results

Beerwah Bulldogs 26 def Nambour Crushers 0
Kawana Dolphins 30 def Caboolture Snakes 16
Coolum Colts 24 def Caloundra Sharks 22
Noosa Pirates 42 def Maroochydore Swans 32

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Beerwah Bulldogs 7 7 0 0 0 124 28
2 Nambour Crushers 7 5 2 0 0 -22 20
3 Kawana Dolphins 7 4 2 1 0 72 18
4 Caloundra Sharks 7 3 4 0 0 8 12
5 Coolum Colts 7 2 3 2 0 4 12
6 Noosa Pirates 7 2 5 0 0 -32 8
7 Caboolture Snakes 7 2 5 0 0 -52 8
8 Maroochydore Swans 7 1 5 1 0 -102 6

2023 Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women

Round 7 results

Beerwah Bulldogs 36 def Nambour Crushers 6
Kawana Dolphins 28 drew with Caboolture Snakes 28
Caloundra Sharks 20 def Gympie Devils 0

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Kawana Dolphins 6 4 0 2 1 128 24
2 Caloundra Sharks 6 4 0 2 1 86 24
3 Caboolture Snakes 6 4 1 1 1 90 22
4 Beerwah Bulldogs 6 3 3 0 1 74 16
5 Gympie Devils 6 2 4 0 1 -92 12
6 Noosa Pirates 6 1 4 1 1 -68 10
7 Nambour Crushers 6 0 6 0 1 -218 4

South Burnett Ken Mills Isuzu Men's A grade

Round 3 results

Cherbourg Hornets 72 def Murgon Mustangs 16
Kingaroy Red Ants 62 def Wondai Proston Wolves 12

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Kingaroy Red Ants 3 3 0 0 0 108 6
2 Cherbourg Hornets 3 2 1 0 0 60 4
3 Wondai Proston Wolves 2 0 2 0 0 -72 0
4 Murgon Mustangs 2 0 2 0 0 -96 0

Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchison Builders Men's A Grade

Round 6 results

Pittsworth Danes 24 def Dalby Diehards 22
Wattles Warriors 40 def Goondiwindi Boars 16
Gatton Hawks 24 def Townsville Brothers 4
Southern Suburbs 32 def Warwick Cowboys 8
Highfields Eagles 44 def Newtown Lions 22
Toowoomba Valleys 30 def Oakey Bears 24

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Toowoomba Valleys 6 6 0 0 0 183 12
2 Warwick Cowboys 6 5 1 0 0 93 10
3 Gatton Hawks 6 5 1 0 0 53 10
4 Dalby Diehards 6 4 2 0 0 48 8
5 Southern Suburbs 6 4 2 0 0 33 8
6 Pittsworth Danes 6 4 2 0 0 -30 8
7 Wattles Warriors 6 3 3 0 0 71 6
8 Goondiwindi Boars 6 2 4 0 0 -10 4
9 Highfields Eagles 6 2 4 0 0 -94 4
10 Newtown Lions 6 1 5 0 0 -156 2
11 Oakey Bears 6 0 6 0 0 -82 0
12 Toowoomba Brothers 6 0 6 0 0 -168 0

Toowoomba Rugby League Toowoomba Sports Club A Grade Women 2023

Round 6 results

Oakey Bears 48 def Toowoomba Valleys 4
Newtown Lions 72 def Highfields Eagles 0

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Newtown Lions 4 4 0 0 0 168 8
2 Gatton Hawks 3 3 0 0 0 48 6
3 Oakey Bears 3 2 1 0 0 80 4
4 Dalby Diehards 2 1 1 0 0 -4 2
5 Toowoomba Valleys 4 1 3 0 0 -96 2
6 Highfield Eagles 3 0 3 0 0 -86 0
7 Southern Suburbs 3 0 3 0 0 -110 0

2023 Border Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 5 results

Inglewood Roosters def McIntyre Warriors (forfeit)
Texas Terriers 40 def Eastern Suburbs Hornets 10
Tenterfield Tigers 26 def Stanthorpe Gremlins 10

Ladder

# Team P W L D B +/- Pts
1 Inglewood Roosters 5 5 0 0 0 88 10
2 Texas Terriers 5 3 2 0 0 22 6
3 Stanthorpe Gremlins 5 3 2 0 0 6 6
4 Tenterfield Tigers 5 2 3 0 0 2 4
5 McIntyre Warriors 5 1 4 0 0 24 2
6 Eastern Suburbs Hornets 5 1 4 0 0 -142 2

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Platinum Partners

View All Partners