Inglis wins coveted Golden Boot

The rollercoaster season of superstar Greg Inglis has finished on a high with the Kangaroos and Storm centre winning the Golden Boot award as the world’s best league player.

He was the third successive Melbourne player to claim the coveted international award, following Billy Slater (2008) and Cameron Smith (2007).

Inglis finished his 2009 campaign with a bulging trophy cabinet, also being named Player of the Tournament in the recent Four Nations series won by Australia.

He was also awarded the Harry Sunderland Medal as the best Australian player in the Four Nations to add to Melbourne’s NRL premiership, and the Mal Meninga Medal for player of the series in this year’s State of Origin.

On the downside, Inglis was in August charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Sally Robinson, and was stood down from the Melbourne side for two matches.

Claiming he was preventing her from harming herself, he will contest the charge at an April court hearing.

He put that aside to play a pivotal role in the Storm’s premiership triumph this year – scoring a brilliant try and kicking the game-winning field goal in Melbourne’s 23-16 win over Parramatta.

Inglis said he was honoured to join the elite group of Golden Boot winners.

“It’s an incredible honour,” said Inglis, who joins the likes of Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and Mal Meninga in claiming the award.

“I’m very humbled by it to be honest.

“To see the names of the players who have won this award before me makes this very special.”

The 22-year-old was lauded ahead of five of the best players in the world – including previous winners Smith and Slater.

The Golden Boot is the international player of the year award presented by UK magazine Rugby League World, and was first presented in 1985.

It’s voted on by some of the best ever players, including Lewis and England’s Garry Schofield.

Inglis said he was now looking forward to a break.

“It’s been a long tournament and I just can’t wait to get back home and into my own bed,” he said.

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