'He digs it in!': George Burgess under fire after ugly incident
South Sydney forward George Burgess is in hot water over another eye-gouging incident.
The 27-year-old was suspended for attacking New Zealand forward Dallin Watene-Zelezniak while playing for England late last year.
He was handed a four-game ban for that eye-gouge, missing the first three games of the NRL season.
“I want to make it completely clear to everyone that it was never my intention to ever gauge (sic) anyone,” he wrote afterwards.
"It is not in my makeup as a rugby league player and never has been. I sincerely apologise to anyone who thinks bad of me after seeing the footage.
"I accept my punishment but I will never accept that I gauged a fellow players eye intentionally. I have too much respect for the players I play against and with."
But after that apology, Burgess has been caught red-handed pushing his fingers into the eyes of former teammate Robbie Farah.
The incident unfolded early in the Rabbitohs' clash with Wests Tigers on Thursday night.
That should have been a send off and at least a 6-8 week ban. Disgraceful pic.twitter.com/GHtxGBRhLE
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) June 27, 2019
Burgess was immediately placed on report by referee Adam Gee.
But he was allowed to stay on the field, angering Fox Sports commentator Steve 'Blocker' Roach.
"This is where the Bunker should come in, that is a deliberate eye gouge, see you later. He digs it in his eye!" he said.
Greg Alexander said the act was inexcusable, declaring players knew where their fingers were at any time.
"I know we've had players fined, but that deserves more than a fine," he added.
The NRL earlier in the month flagged tougher penalties for the offence after Canberra's Hudson Young was banned for five weeks.
