Braidon Burns has been making real waves in the NRL this season but his home region out west has never been too far from his mind.
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After a number of years bouncing around the NRL the Coonamble junior has enjoyed something of a breakout in 2019, with only an ankle injury in round three stopping a blistering start to the year at South Sydney.
He's slowly been working his way back to his best with the Rabbitohs in recent weeks, all while striving to be a role model for young Indigenous players in the bush.
Burns has attended a number of Wellington Cowboys home matches this season and has helped promote programs run by the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service while there.
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He said that, and playing and working for those people from his home region, is something he's aware of and keen to do more of.
"I've been trying to get home a fair bit the last couple of weeks when we've had the bye," Burns told the media earlier this week.
"To get home and see them and represent them this weekend and this week, and in the NRL in general is very important.
"The way I conduct myself 24/7 is important to me. If I can be a leader and positive role model for kids out where I'm from, I'm doing my job."
While Burns has been making a real impact in the western area in recent weeks, the past month hasn't been a good one for his Rabbitohs.
After four consecutive losses the men in red and green have slipped to third on the ladder and are six points behind first-placed Melbourne.
Burns returned from injury for the most recent of those four losses, a 14-9 defeat to Wests Tigers, and will line up in the centres again when Souths hosts the fifth-placed Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday.
"Obviously we don't want to lose another game," he said, before speaking about his own game.
"I thought I started (the season) quite well so to get injured in round three was quite disappointing.
"Once I got injured I put my head down pretty quick and switched straight back on. Obviously the injury took longer than we thought so I had to keep a positive attitude the whole time.
"At times it was difficult but being out there now, it's all worth it."
Souths takes on Manly from 3pm on Saturday.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
