Pie and a soft drink sweet for Burgess

FORMER NRL champion Sam Burgess wants to carve out a post-playing career as a coach but his apprenticeship pays just $7 a fortnight.

In a remarkable revelation, Burgess – the ex-Souths and British forward – is being paid one pie and one soft drink at each home game every second weekend to coach Orara Valley Axemen in Group 2 on the NSW north coast.

His official Orara Valley contract lodged with the NSWRL and signed by Burgess and Axemen president Peter Spinks states, under a subhead of ‘PAYMENT, Base Salary’, that Burgess will receive: “1 x Garlo’s Pie (flavour of choice) and 1 x soft drink (flavour of choice) at the completion of each home game regardless of result.”

Burgess’ remuneration includes a ground entry pass, club polo shirt, 2022 training kit and two adult tickets to mandatory club functions.

It is the most humble start to a coaching career by a star player in recent memory.

Burgess continues to mull over whether to join Wayne Bennett as an assistant at the Dolphins from next season or rejoin Souths to further enhance his burgeoning coaching career.

After a two-year absence from group 2, Orara Valley has returned under Burgess and lead the premiership with seven wins from eight games.

Burgess volunteered his modest Orara Valley remuneration, saying: “On my contract, it states a Garlo’s Pie and a soft drink. I’m serious, I’m not getting paid to be here. I’m here because I love the game.

“We’re making a difference, that’s the main thing.

“To be fair, I go to the canteen after every home game and get a Garlo’s pie.”