Burgess spoke openly about the incident in round 23 last season and the effect it has had on his reputation during an interview ahead of Friday’s match against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

The rugby union-bound star was not penalised on the field but was suspended for two games after the match review committee studied footage that showed him reaching between the legs of Chambers during a tackle and the Storm centre being visibly in pain as he attempted to play the ball.

Despite pleading guilty to a grade one contrary conduct charge, Burgess suggested the incident had been ‘‘accidental’’ but admitted it had changed the public’s perception of him.

‘‘If there is one incident I could take back, it would be the Chambers one,’’ he said. ‘‘Other than that, I don’t think I am a dirty player. [But] that is what has labelled me, I suppose. That one.

‘‘I have had it done to me a few times, it is accidental. Stuff happens in games. I am perceived like that, but that is what it is. I just get on with it. People have always got their opinion of me. My team-mates are all supportive, I have got my family and I enjoy my football here. It is comical sometimes.’’

The Chambers incident was Burgess’ third judiciary charge last year. He was also suspended for a high shot on Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce and a crusher tackle on Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita. He received a one-match ban playing for England during the end-of-season World Cup for a high tackle on Australian second-rower Sam Thaiday.

‘‘Football is a tough game. It is a contact sport and I think at times it is going to get heated,’’ Burgess said. ‘‘It is what makes the fans come every week. They like the contact, they like the game, and as a player that is what I like.

‘‘For me, what happens on the field stays on the field, I am not one to come away and talk about it and I don’t hold grudges away from football. I just try to concentrate on doing my thing for the team. Nothing has really changed in my career, it is just how it is viewed over the past couple of years. I won’t change the way I play or anything.’’

Burgess was attacked by a woman wielding a flag stick after last Friday night’s match at Penrith but he said the reaction towards him by most fans had not changed in the five years since he became the first of four brothers to move to Sydney and play for the Rabbitohs. While his mother Julie was upset about the incident, the 25-year-old said he hoped no action was taken against the woman.

‘‘I would feel pretty crappy. I don’t want that to happen,’’ he said. Teammate Greg Inglis defended Burgess’ playing style and said South Sydney players liked playing with him. There’s a difference between a dirty player and an aggressive player. Sam is definitely not a dirty player. Every team wants their forwards to be aggressive, that is just the way footy is. It is a contact sport and you get under people’s skin but as professional athletes we know what we have got to do for our team.

‘‘We stand behind what Sam brings to our team and we love what Sammy does. He knows what is right and wrong on the field, and that is just the way Sam plays. He is just an aggressive player.’’