The Burgess family better watch their backs.
While surely the big English lads are used to copping it on the field, the four brothers should be wary of a new family connection that’s come to fruition in their own backyard over the off-season.
Brothers in law Joel Reddy and Bryson Goodwin aren't the most intimidating thing you’ll ever see – the two 28-year-olds would surely be much more better off backing their speed over the English quartet if it ever came down to a game of backyard footy.
“They [the Burgesses] are getting a bit jealous now that they’re not the only ones,” Goodwin claims.
While the occurrence of brothers in law playing in the same first-grade side (and together in the centres no less) is undeniably rare, both men seem to be loving the prospects of playing together.
While Goodwin can’t really remember meeting Reddy when his sister Rearne brought him to the Goodwin household for the first time, he was really pleased for his brother in law in what was his first appearance for the South Sydney outfit.
“It was good. He got a few tries at the end there so it was good for him. It was good to play with him rather than against him,” Goodwin said.
“I can’t even really remember meeting him it was that long ago – I didn’t really even know who he was but he’s a good bloke Joel so I’m happy to have him here playing with me.”
A 119 game veteran in his own right, Reddy couldn’t be happier with his move to the Rabbitohs. After solid stints with Parramatta and Wests Tigers, the former City Origin representative asserted his genuine enjoyment of his move to the Rabbitohs in both an off-field and on-field capacity following his club debut on Friday night.
“It’s been good training with Bryson all through the pre-season and you know our kids are the same age so they’re enjoying supporting the Rabbitohs together. It’s all good from an off-field point of view and definitely on the field,” Reddy said.
“As a team we didn’t play as well as we could but it was nice to grab a few tries. At the end of the day it’s all about the team and the result and as a team we didn’t perform as well as we could.
“I’m really enjoying it [though]. It’s a really tight group and I’m really happy to be here –obviously it wasn’t the start I wanted personally and as a team but we’ll build on where we were at the start of the year and we’ll just keep working towards our goals – hopefully we’ll keep getting better.”
While it’s only early on in the season’s proceedings, Reddy would be remiss in not mentioning that a premiership would cap off what has already been a solid career.
“It’s everyone’s goal going into the season. That’s the ultimate goal. After the performance tonight though we've just got to be better for next week and that’s all we’re worried about at the moment,” Reddy said.
For now, Reddy can at least take some solace in the fact that the Burgesses aren’t the only family connection running rampant out Redfern way from now on.
