NRL is in damage control and the Integrity Unit have their hands busy, as they will be forced to look into yet another incident involving an NRL player, this time on in Cairns.
Reports from radio station 2UE suggest that South Sydney Rabbitohs prop George Burgess was charged in Queensland overnight, with two counts of wilful damage to a car.
Burgess, who has just turned 21, reportedly threw a street sign through a car window.
Having debuted for the Rabbitohs last year, George is one of four Burgess brothers at the Souths club.
Burgess received bail for the incident and is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on July 10, according to a police spokeswoman.
Souths have released a statement on the matter, with Burgess admitting guilt to the charges and he is co-operating Valium with police on the matter.
With the Rabbitohs informing the NRL Integrity Unit of the incident on Monday morning, the club has stood down the English prop pending further investigation and are working with the Integrity Unit to agree on an imposed punishment.
Following the incident, Burgess made the following statements:
“I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Rabbitohs Members, sponsors and everyone in the community,†Burgess said.
“I have let my team and my family down.
“I acknowledge that I am a role model for kids and I will do everything I can to restore my reputation through working harder in the community.
“It is my responsibility to ensure that this type of behaviour does not happen again. “I will learn from my mistake and bounce back stronger and better as a person.â€