I agree with you, but a small time sport that gets no limelight whatsoever is never going to get a look in at these type of things unless something miraculous happens within it - an undefeated season, a team winning all the trophies available (team and personal) etc.

Burgess is playing on the other side of the world, in a competition that very few RL fans in this country actually watch, never mind anyone watching it that doesn't really follow RL. He didn't play for England in the 4 Nations, therefore not been able to get column inches for dragging England to a victory (had he done so) so how do you really expect that panel of judges to actually know anything about who he is or what he does?

As someone else said, there are no RU players on the list either, so why people get so bent out of shape about RL not getting a sniff, I don't know - why would you expect anything different?

Alpine Skiing and Skeleton are as niche as it gets.

But are Olympic sports that have had a lot of media coverage due to the success we will have had or major improvements due to certain individuals within that sport, and therefore a lot of exposure to a lot of the country.

Where's Carlton Kirby when you need him?

But I bet you watched some of them when they were on the TV during the Winter Olympics didn't you?

Who, outside of the North West and Yorkshire, was watching the recent 4 Nations? Very few I would imagine.

If Burgess had been nominated, the same people currently moaning about his non inclusion would be saying he's only been nominated because of his move to RU.

He plays in a domestic competition that is unknown and unseen to 99% of people outside of Australia, and isnt covered by any major channels in the UK. Plus he hasn't represented his country in 2014. I cant see how anybody actually expected him to be nominated?

Didn't see a single minute of the whole event.

yeah...FFS dressage is ALL over the place....high on the list of everybody's sporting interest.



Sam's sporting achievement deservers to be mentioned....never mind who is or isn't watching.

He'll get a mention (and probably a knighthood) if he wins the RU world cup next year.
Unfortunately, the reality is that, there are many, many, more high profile sportsmen and women ahead of him this year and Lewis Hamilton will win the main prize.

What are his achievements?

Are they any greater than his Brothers, James Graham.............

The Beeb don't really give us a mention do they. I know saints won a couple of awards in 2006, but that's it.

It became clear to me they've no interest in us when Shaun Wane wasn't even on the list for coach of the year last year. Challenge Cup and Super League Title, plus both Junior sides won their grand finals.

The only mention we'll get on the night will be about 10 mins, 9 of which will be about ben flower.

First non-Aussie to be MOM in a Grand Final!! Whoopy do!

He'll get a mention in the minor sports round-up during the programme but he had no chance of making the list given his lack of profile and interest in the NRL from the UK "Sporting" public. He might have had a chance of making the list had England made the RLWC final last year or won it.

He may be in with a shout in a couple of years if he establishes himself in RU though

Sam Burgess playing in foreign domestic competition 10,000 miles away not on SPOTY Shortlist provokes latest Moonie Outrage!

Typical BBC agenda who must really hate Rugby League, etc.

BOO! Hissssssssssssss.

Whilst breaking his face in the first minute....name one sportsman that has been as brave and honest as that anywhere ...at the very top of their sport.

God only knows why Gareth Bale is in the list. For being an over paid Welsh man in a team of prima donnas...I mean 'super stars'.
Football is the most dishonourable and dishonest spectacle on earth. Full of over paid actors and cheats.

Roger Millward captained and won the 1980 Challenge Cup with Hull KR with a broken jaw. He wasn't nominated either that year iirc

Sad man continues to pretend he's a Rugby League supporter in order to get himself off on what he thinks is some kind of satiricle take of real Rugby fans.

Give it a rest Playtime, no ones impressed.

Should Burgess be there any more than, say, Steffon Armitage??

4 nations was trending on twitter 8 out of the top ten places when every match was being played.

Bit of a weak crop this year. Hamilton will probably win it (popular, very visible competitor in a very high profile sport) ahead of McIlroy, but the likes of Yarnold and Dujardin have arguably been as dominant in their respective sports in 2014.

That people like Peaty and Whitlock are making the shortlist having won nothing at World level is a bit embarrassing, frankly.

Hamilton should be in the Overseas category surely?

Lewis Hamilton all day long for me .

Why ?

He's a tax dodging b*stard.