Braidon Burns and Connor Tracey 2019 Contract Extensions
29th May 2018
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the contract extensions of young backs Braidon Burns and Connor Tracey until at least the end of the 2019 season.
Burns, 21, made his first grade debut in round two of the 2017 season against the Sea Eagles and has gone on to play 11 NRL games, scoring five tries. Burns will play in his favoured position of centre against the Sharks this week, and has also played on the wing and at fullback during his two seasons with the Rabbitohs.
Burns is very happy to have extended his time with the Rabbitohs. "I couldn't be happier about extending my contract at Souths and I'm really looking forward to playing in front of our Members and supporters this Friday night," Burns said. "I see the next couple of years as an opportunity for me to learn from two of the best centres in the game in Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai, and when my opportunity comes in the centres like it will this Friday, then I can go out and show what I've learnt from them and do the best I can for the team. "I really see us as a Finals and Grand Final team over the next few years and that's something I really want to be a part of. "I love playing for this Club and with these boys, and I'm looking forward to Friday night against the Sharks."
Tracey, 21, is a former Australian Schoolboys representative who returned from three consecutive knee reconstructions at the beginning of this season, featuring in the Rabbitohs' pre-season game against the Wigan Warriors. Tracey is developing his game through the North Sydney Bears in the NSW ISP competition and has been named on the extended interchange bench for the Rabbitohs for this Friday's game against the Sharks.
Tracey is delighted to have the opportunity to further his career at South Sydney. "I'm really stoked with the new contract and I really want to repay the faith the Club has shown in me," Tracey said. "They rehabbed my knee for two years and now that I'm back out on the field, I'm hoping to make my first-grade debut later this year or early next year so that I can contribute more to the team. "I've really enjoyed my time so far at Souths and I'm looking forward to progressing further this year and next year."
Rabbitohs Head Coach Anthony Seibold is thrilled to have the chance to continue to work with both Burns and Tracey. "I'm really happy to have these two guys commit to the Club for a further season," Coach Seibold said. "We see plenty of growth in Braidon. He's played 11 first grade games now and we see him as a centre, and he gets the opportunity to play there on Friday night. "We think he will continue to put pressure on for a full-time position in our backline and we're really pleased with his progress as he continuously works hard to improve his game. "He's very talented, is a great person and a great club man, and I'm glad he's staying with us in 2019. "Connor's resilience to come back from three knee reconstructions has defined him as a person. "We knew it would take him some for him to find his feet after three seasons out of the game. "His players' player performance for North Sydney last week has shown he is progressing and as the season moves forward we know he will continue to improve. "He's an elite level athlete in regards to his preparation and we feel that with more football under his belt he has the potential to play at the NRL level."