Is an age gap ever really just a number? When it comes to love, society often has opinions, and Aussie cricket legend Peter Siddle is finding that out the hard way. His relationship with Hannah Burgess has become the target of jokes on a popular sports podcast, sparking a wider conversation about age differences in relationships.
Siddle and Burgess have been together for over a year, seemingly happy and in love. But when Burgess publicly congratulated Siddle on reaching his 100th Big Bash League game, some found an opportunity to poke fun at their age difference. This seemingly innocent post became fodder for jokes on the "Off-Field Drama" podcast, hosted by Stirling Farquhar and Samuel Burke.
The hosts didn't hold back. One host quipped, comparing Siddle to another sports star known for a younger partner, "Peter Siddle, they're calling him Nathan Cleary… yeah, 40/20." They went on to highlight the perceived age gap, with one host saying, "So he's 40, and his missus is 20." The conversation took an even more eyebrow-raising turn when they joked about potential awkwardness with Burgess's father, implying that family gatherings might involve some tense moments. "Well, allegedly… I think it'd be hard for the dad to be greeting her f***ing daughter's boyfriend… and could be bowling a bit of chin music at the Christmas lunch."
But here's where it gets controversial... The hosts even went as far as to joke, "You've gotta think, when he [Siddle] bowled his hat-trick ball in 2010, his missus was getting picked up from preschool." Ouch! That’s a pretty harsh way to frame it, right?
It's worth noting that the podcast episode wasn't entirely accurate. They misstated Siddle's age; he's actually 41. Furthermore, Burgess's actual age isn't publicly available, although the fact that she recently graduated from university suggests she's likely older than 20. And this is the part most people miss: This detail highlights how easily assumptions and misrepresentations can fuel public perception.
Despite the inaccuracies, the jokes spilled over into the comment section of Burgess's Instagram post. But instead of getting upset, Burgess seemingly took it in stride, even leaning into the humor. She commented on her post, "Guess which one of us played their 100th big bash game and which one turned 20 something!" She even liked a reply that jokingly suggested Siddle looked younger due to his bleached hair. This playful reaction suggests both Siddle and Burgess are choosing to not let the negativity affect them.
News.com.au reached out to Peter Siddle for comment, but as of writing this article, he has not responded.
The couple hasn't been shy about their relationship, with their first public appearance on Burgess's Instagram dating back to November 25, 2024. Since then, they've shared photos of their travels, dinner dates, and time spent at Big Bash League games. Burgess is the first partner Siddle has publicly acknowledged since his split from his wife of five years, Anna Weatherlake, in August 2022.
Now, here's the burning question: Is it fair game to publicly scrutinize and joke about someone's relationship, even if there's an age gap? Is there a point where playful banter crosses the line into being disrespectful or even hurtful? Some might argue that public figures open themselves up to this kind of attention, while others believe everyone deserves privacy and respect, regardless of their profession or relationship choices. What are your thoughts? Do you think the podcast hosts went too far, or was it all in good fun? Let us know in the comments below!
