Tolman backs Burgess over NRL elbow drama
Apr 14, 2017 - 10:23 AM Aiden Tolman has unexpectedly leapt to the defence of George Burgess, declaring the South Sydney prop failed to connect on him with an elbow.The two were involved in an ugly incident which marred Canterbury's 24-9 Good Friday NRL win at ANZ Stadium.
Late in the game, the Souths' front-rower appeared to strike out at his Bulldogs' opposite with his elbow or forearm after seemingly taking exception to something in the tackle.
Burgess has a nervous wait on his hands for the match review committee's charge sheet after returning only last week from a two-game suspension for an elbow on Newcastle's Mitch Barnett.
And while Burgess is facing a lengthy ban if cited, Tolman has cast doubt on whether he hit him.
"There's not much in it. You can't punch anyone so you've got to do something else," Tolman said.
Asked if Burgess connected, Tolman said: "I don't know. To be honest, I didn't feel anything from it.
"He's a big man. If he did connect, I probably would have been lying on the ground. That's just the way rugby league is."
The Rabbitohs on Friday night put up a wall between Burgess and the media, placing him off limits for interviews after the game.
The club are set to hold a whole-of-squad media event on Saturday, however Burgess' name was suspiciously absent from the list of players up for interview. All other 16 Souths players who took part in Friday's match were made available.
After coach Michael Maguire last week declared Burgess was over his brain explosions, he was again forced to defend his charge.
"We got the penalty in that position, I think there was someone around his neck and he was just trying to get out of it," Maguire said.
"That's why it looked the way it did."
George's brother Sam said people were quick to jump on him after his suspension for striking Barnett.
Sam has a headache of his own after being penalised for a shoulder charge on Greg Eastwood in the first half and looks set to miss next week's clash with Brisbane.
Asked if he was guilty of a shoulder charge, the Rabbitohs' skipper said: "Yeah ... I'll have to wait and see."
Source: AAP
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