They’ve done their best to keep their emotions in check up until now, but Sam Burgess can sense when his younger sibling starts to get a little sentimental.
It’s why Sam and twin brothers George and Thomas are savouring every moment they have in what could be their final NRL match together on Friday.
South Sydney face Canberra in a preliminary final at GIO Stadium, where defeat will mark George’s last appearance in the league.
“I’ve seen the sparkle in his eye again, seen the passion in him. I think he’s taking in each moment,” Sam said of his brother George.
“I think he’s come to the realisation of what’s in front of him.”
George took the unusual step of playing reserve grade last week, less than a day after burning just 10 minutes in their semi-final win over Manly.
The Sea Eagles effort was just his second game back from a controversial nine-game ban for eye gouging earlier in the season.
The former English international’s decision to turn out for North Sydney was his way of ensuring his empties out before returning to the Super League next year.
And it’s even impressed older brother Sam.
“His training is as good as I’ve seen him,” said Sam, who travels with the rest of his teammates down to the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
“His movement is as good as I’ve seen him. He backed up last weekend, and that was great mentally for himself.
“He’s enjoying the time here. We’ll travel down to Canberra, spend a bit of time in the hotels, and it’s just nice being around each other.
“It is coming towards the end of an era with us altogether.
“But we’ll just enjoy each day as it comes.”
The trio have worn the cardinal and myrtle together since Thomas finally made his NRL debut midway through 2013.
A fourth Burgess, the eldest one Luke, also spent four years at the club.
However, Sam stressed that while the reality was starting to sink in, it is also vital in remaining focused on the task at hand.
“You kind of have to take that emotion out from the game. You do play with a level of emotion, I certainly do anyway,” he said.
“It’s just understanding, getting a feel for where the balancing act is.
“We’re just enjoying every minute together, we’re spending as much time as we can together, the kids are together, so that’s great.”
