With the Red and Green’s securing their first victory of the 2017 campaign against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs outside back Braidon Burns believes the experience of his team mates will play an important role as the side looks to develop and move forward.
Featuring in his maiden first grade game in the Cardinal and Myrtle, Burns praised the way in which his side was able to overcome adversity to register their first victory of the season.
“We didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to, but the boys dug in and we got back to doing our role and as soon as we got back into the cycle, we started turning the game around,” said Burns.
“We started to get a roll on, get quick play of the balls and catch that third man out and stuff like that. As soon as we got a roll on, we started taking energy from them.”
Despite taking the field without Greg Inglis, who sustained a knee injury in the opening round, the Rabbitohs rallied in attack and defence to burrow their way out of a difficult position – something Burns believes his senior counterparts deserve plenty of credit for.
“It was pretty rough (early in the match), I didn’t know what to think. I had a lot of the older boys out there and they’re a lot more experienced than me, so they just gave us direction and focus,” said the rookie.
“There is still plenty of experience in the team. You’ve got Sutto (John Sutton), Sam Burgess, boys like that and they bring a wealth of experience and direction. I think moving forward they can take us places.”
In addition to their impact on the field, the senior members of the playing group have also been commended for the guidance that they have provided their younger comrades with off the field.
“I keep going back to the boys, they make things really easy for us younger boys,
“From things like being professional away from footy, it all comes back to footy and if you’re doing good things away from the field, it’ll translate onto the field.”
