Almost a year to the day after Greg Inglis announced he would be taking his talents to South Sydney, speculation continues to swirl that his time in Cardinal and Myrtle will last as long as the three year contract he signed, before he returns to the club which found and developed him in to the world’s best centre – the Melbourne Storm.
However, as anyone who has ever been through a messy break up knows, Inglis won’t go crawling back to his first love. He himself may have hinted he will but time, a bit of reflection and the realization of a few home truths will see Inglis finish his career at a club – not necessarily Souths – on Albury’s side of the Murray River.
It was teenage romance when Inglis met the Storm – he signed his first contract with Melbourne at the tender age of fifteen. Over the coming years Inglis grew in to a monster of a man with the most famous fend in the game and speed that led Gus Gould to refer to him as the “Rolls Royce”.
It seemed like a match made in heaven but just as money problems are the leading cause for divorce, it was to be money issues that drove a wedge between Inglis and his beloved Storm.
The 2010 salary cap scandal exposed the Melbourne Storm’s systemic cheating of the salary cap over four years, costing them two premierships, minor premierships and the indignity of having to play the 2010 season for no points.
However the real cost for the Storm was the sheer number of players they then had to shed to come in under the salary cap for 2011. Talent the likes of Brett White, Brett Finch and Ryan Hoffman went but it wasn’t enough. One of the Storm’s “Big Four” – Inglis, Cam Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk – had to go too.
Initially Inglis was defiant on his prospects of leaving, saying in April 2010, “I’m not going anywhere… I really love the place. It is like family to me and I have no intention of leaving.”
However, by the end of the 2010 season Inglis was singing a different tune and he was released from the final year of his contract with the Storm to take up a two year deal with the Brisbane Broncos in an ill-fated move that would soon be recognized for what it was – the Broncos being Inglis’s rebound club.
It was suggested at the time that it was Inglis who looked to secure the release from the Storm and received it on compassionate grounds due to his then-fiancée Sally Robinson living in Brisbane.
But Inglis failing to take up his contract with the Broncos and instead moving to Souths somewhat flies in the face of the whole “compassionate” grounds for a release.
Adding to this is the fact that Inglis’s move to the Broncos was going to be subsidised by the Storm by $40,000 a year to ensure he didn’t take a pay cut to leave Melbourne. No sporting organization in the world gives a player a release on compassionate grounds and then top up that player’s contract at a rival club. They already did him a favour letting him go and you don’t need Brian Waldron to tell you that you don’t pay people for doing them a favour.
The reality, one might conclude, was a little more along the lines of Melbourne realizing they needed to shed around $600,000 from their roster to make it in under the salary cap for 2011 and any one of the “big four’s” contracts would be just the right amount.
It would have been a hell of a situation for the bigwigs at Melbourne to be in – which of the “big four” do you let go? Unfortunately for Inglis he was the one tapped on the shoulder but they at least allowed him to look as though he jumped rather than was pushed.
And that’s the rub. Even though Inglis was allowed to leave with a degree of grace and he still holds his former coach and teammates in the highest regard, at the end of the day the Melbourne Storm decided he was expendable – or at least expendable compared to Cronk, Smith and Slater.
So when he played his last game for Melbourne in 2010 it was followed by declarations of undying love, of this just being “a break” and that he would be welcomed back with open arms in a couple of years when finances weren’t as complicated.
However, as the months passed, Inglis had time to realize he had been lied to. Melbourne may have said it was them and not him but as long as they still had the other three of the “big four” Inglis was faced with the harsh reality of what had happened.
He had been dumped.
He showed all the classic symptoms – well documented weight gain, squabbling with the Storm over unpaid money, the poorly thought-out fling with a hotter (temperature wise) club that was never going to last and finally acceptance with a new club that seems a good fit.
Accordingly, over the last twelve months, Inglis’s forecasts about his future have slowly moved away from the defiant “definitely moving back to Melbourne”, to the once-bitten twice-shy response that he gave this week.
“I have actually settled in quite well [at Souths] and I am loving it at the moment, so you never know. I have got two years there but it might be beyond that.
“I am at a good club now, a very proud and very traditional club and I am happy with where I am now.”
We’re happy for you too, Greg. And you look great.
vivalasvegan
Guest
Totally agree Stu, clubs that develop youth get punished time and time again. I would like to see the clubs that develop the young players get a 10% bonus of whatever the player is sold for added to the salary cap. If they are sold on again, the the original club should get another 10% of the value added to the salary cap. This might cool the spurs of the 'buying' clubs and at least assist the sound developing clubs to keep more of the talent they have produced. Something has to be done, that is for sure...
Gaz
Guest
Getting all excited Stephen are we, so how many of your nominated players did Souths produce or did we just buy them did we. Bloody pathetic.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
The EPL has a substantial amount of revenue sharing - "small market" clubs get about half the money the top teams do. But without a salary cap, it isnt nearly enough in the EPL. Germany is interesting, and weird, and the outlier - it is the only reliably competitive league in Europe. All the others leagues have a small number of teams who are always at the top end, and a larger number of middle-class teams, and a bunch that float into and out of relegation. I have to say, at the end of the day, this isnt a good model for anyone else - its Germans, being organised. No-one is trying to buy a championship, and they are all holding salaries at about 50% of revenue. https://www.econstor.eu/dspace/bitstream/10419/49287/1/667690905.pdf http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2010/02/10/la-liga-to-follow-premier-league-television-revenue-sharing-model/
Football United
Guest
The lack of a salary cap, contrary to popular belief, is not the main cause of inequality in top football leagues. It does contributes, no doubt, but not to the extent that some Australian sports fans would have you believe. The most important factor towards equality is actually the way tv income (and Prize money) is distributed. The Bundesliga and the Premier League do not have salary caps yet the German Bundesliga is significantly more competitive, to the point where only Bayern Munich could be considered a consistent year by year top 4 club due to their efforts in raising revenue through Marketing and Sponsorship. This is because unlike the premier league where a teams access to league money is determined through their finishing position, television revenue, in the main, is split evenly between all 18 Bundesliga competitors. This model discourages the rich from getting richer and vice versa as seen in England and (even worse) in Spain. The NRL, while in no way facing dire times with what looks to be a very lucrative upcoming TV deals, would be smart to rethink their equality policies as we are now facing a time where players are gaining interest from not only the other teams in the NRL, but other sports that won't be subjected to the same transfer and salary cap rules. I'd like to see a system where clubs (if they can afford to) are going to be able to match big offers for their players from both other codes and other clubs that have cap space, especially if they were developed at that club and stop this culture of poaching good youth players instead developing your own.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
For NRL clubs, just start the five years for a "Larry Bird Exemption" when they were signed as juniors, so with three years as a junior and two years as a journeyman, then you could only be counting at 90% against the cap. Five such exemptions on a base journeymans salary of, say, $100k or so, and you've got $50k of cap room to upgrade a player in a needed position.
Horatio
Guest
Inglis has had more dalliances than dinners. Signed for melbourne at 15, grew up in NSW plays for Qld, going to broncos, reneges, threatens to go to Essendon, then goes to Souths but says he would love to go back to melbourne. He must have got good dough to sign with melbourne and he was the one found to be cheating. Good grief....
I wish I heard that quote from Freddy before I wrote this. Like you said, almost right.
Johnno
Guest
Wow did not know Matt king was joining rabbits. Big signing for them, he was justt about best outside back in world when he went to UK super league. Now the exchange rate has evened up more aussies are staying in RL or coming back which is good. I rate Matt King highly, so does ricky stuart who coached him in Origin, said his contribution for a winger was remarkable. Wow wathcing last night rugby league match aussies V ENG at wembley great atmosphere. ANd what amssive game form Tony T-rex williams, he is like Jonah Lomu the way he plays and same size. But what occurred ot me he is on open market souths would of loved to have paired him up with GI. I wonder if Tony T-rex williams will get offers from english super league, French rugby, Japan rugby, or the ARU offer him a contract to be a potential wallaby. T-rex would be a handle as an I/C smashing ma Nonu, and jamie roberts, and SBW.
Steven Robertson
Guest
With both Inglis & Matt King in the centres and Merrit chimimg in from fullback and a solid winger in McQueen with a speedstar in Roberts things are looking good for our backline injury free. On top of that we had 3 forwards who got a hell of a lot of game time in 2011 which will go in good sted for next season when we get injuries or origin duty. Bring on 2012 with limited injuries and it's ours for the taking....and those odds of 17/1 are looking very good indeed, so don't leave it until after round 1 or it will be halved quicker then it takes Merrit to score a try running off G.I... cheers
Johnno
Guest
I like that Larry Bird rule Ian, and i support that as well defiantly. I think feeder clubs like you suggested a very good idea, should get cash back for developing feeder talent, and same with cap rebates is a good idea to. It comes down to revenue spread and investment with that revenue and generating revenue development. ANd David gallop should not forget the grass roots clubs, as they develop the NRL talent initially.
Todd Slater
Guest
Jamal Idris could have gone on with athletics & javelin in particular but he chose league. I think he threw javelin for NSW at schoolboy level in the national titles. Agree he could be anything, but i think he needs to lose around 5-7 kg & develop more skills - fend with both hands, pass both sides of his body & more. But yes the raw talent is all there & still growing & developing. Ellery Hanley at his peak was phenomenal. I'm not sure if you remember the '88 final series where Balmain had to win the mid week play off for fifth place to advance, but they did & he scored two tries in all their semi finals to propel them into the decider. Gould knew he had to stop him & so told Terry Lamb to take care of it. Lamb would have received at least two months for a similar incident today. Hanley was a golden boot winner in this period & was just electrifying on the park for both Balmain & Wests. There were a lot of good English men here in the period '87--90, Hanley, Gary Schofield, Lee Crooks, Andy Currier, Joe Lydon, Martin Offiah & Kevin Ward whose performance in the last grand final the SCG got Manly home in '87. Michael O'Connor was near untouchable as a centre in '87, he was an incredible runner of the ball, beautiful running style, acceleration, kicking & passing game complete. He is a now involved with the ARU. Gallop should bring him back over to league. The other centre i saw play that was dazzling was Steve 'Zip, Zip Man' Ella, for Parramatta. An awesome broken play runner of the ball & superb finisher. Your right though as Inglis sheer athleticism surpasses them all. I hope he stays in league his whole career remains injury free & spearheads the cardinal & myrtle to title no 21.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jonno, A "Larry Bird rule" to give long-serving veterans a cap discount is one thing the AFL uses, and something I definitely support. What Im proposing is a cash kickback to teams not in the same competition, to reward Cherboug, Souths Logan and so for developing Chris Sandow. Similarly, cap rebates to reward teams for when players are lost on Origin or International duty - "broken time" for clubs, essentially.
Johnno
Guest
Problem with no slurry cap stu, is weaker clubs will go broke, and we will see a return to the super star clubs of the 90's canberra, Brisbane,Manly, cantebruy and then no one else. Englsih premier league soccer has for so long had just the big 4 dominate, in portal and soctland it is even worse. Always celtic and rangers winning. Boring. Rugby league simply has to look at more ways to develop revenue, but there should be rewards though and concessions for local juniors like maybe as Ian Whitcurch said a 5% increase. I would also have rewards for loyal players ot one club man. Once a player makes 100 1st grade games for that club, maybe a 10% increase on his salary, and have it exempt form salary cap. AN dif he makes 200 1st grade games he gets 20% exemption form slurry cap on top of his salary. And ot make 100 games for a club is no easy thing that is at least 4 years straight with no injuries and hope you play finals football. 200 well hardly any player will play 200 1st grade games let alone at the 1 team. I would also have other little concessions and extra 5 % execemptiosn to. If a player can play 15 origins at that team, or 10 matches for Australia he gets a 5% bonus, and if he does both then yes 10% .
Gaz
Guest
Stu, couldn’t agree more, there are ex Broncos playing in comps all over the place largely due to salary cap constraints. One even played in and helped the All Blacks win the Union World Cup. I can remember a few seasons back when Aus and NZ played in both codes on the same afternoon and there were Bronco or ex Bronco players in the four teams. Gallop and his regime (nee cronies) call it making the completion even - but is it fair? Where do tomorrow’s footballers really come from if not clubs who spend time money and effort with the young’uns. They should be justly rewarded rather than penalised. But whilst the present salary cap evens out the competition by unjust means the weaker clubs still flounder and the strong are being held back and in turn the whole code is being stifled by this cap. Can only hope the new commission can come up with better systems but you have to be doubtful when there remain problems getting the thing off the ground.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
As a general point, I think that when the salary cap goes up, 5% of a players salary should be kicked back from their signing club to the developing club(s) - and definitely not just the NRL ones. Im happy with a "local junior" rule as well, but to keep competitive balance, I'd limit the amount of soft cap you can create that way.
Johnno
Guest
Well Todd GI is the physically biggest out of that list. Mal was stocky and storng but not not as tall, i think mall is 6 foot or 6'1. Gi also has so much athletism more than Mal, and on par im sure with Ellery Hanley, wow what a player Ellery Hanley was in his prime,centre, 5/8 or lock. Steve renouf had great acceleration but that is what made him, a bit like micheal jennings, but Renouf only really had acceleration to his game, GI has so much more, he is not as accelerated as runoff not many are jennings is even faster for mine, than runoff, and dale shearer could motor to and played centre. But GI is so big , tall athletic, skilful has so much to offer. Jamal Idris is a plyer i rate todd with even moor unnatural ability than Inglis. He should of played origin this yea ron bench or ahead of Mark Gasnier, Idris is such a handle to tackle and very athletic, i think he was a top javelin performer.
Todd Slater
Guest
To see him hit a hole at speed, then accelerate & run 40-60 metres with a fend or two thrown in is one of the great sights in rugby league. He still has yet to reach his potential as a player & i hope Maguire brings it out in him. Last season he seems to get the ball off centre, too shallow in attack & often the pass was mistimed. He also took awhile to form combinations. I hope Merritt plays fullback next season because there is a lethal combination just waiting to happen between him & GI. I only have my late Dad's words & memory to tell me how great Gasnier was, but i have been fortunate too see live, Steve Rogers, Mick Cronin, Mal Meninga, Gene Miles, Ellery Hanley, Steve Renouf, Peter Jackson, Michael O'Connor & a few more over the seasons past & Inglis is easily on par possibly better than all of them as a centre three quarter. Lets hope he burns the turf up in the cardinal & myrtle in 2012.
Johnno
Guest
I agree if a player develops a player at junior level they should be rewarded financially. Look at how many juniors souths lost in 80's and 90's , thanks to there excellent junior souths junior program. South's juniors is one of the largest leagues clubs in Australia, it makes a fortune. I think in th modern game if you develop juniors , they either get excempt from the cap or some sort of financial gain of like a player who is a junior can be topped up by an extra 100K per season or 150k, something meaningful to keep a player. I think Gi will stay in sydney and with souths. GI is indigenous heritage, and souths being in redfern obviously have always had close links to indigenous Australians. GI does community work with these young indigenous people GI is studying apparently at a sydney university part time Gi family is in NSW not in melbourne or QLD(sorry QLD but GI is really a new south welshman we all know that, just like Isreal Folau) Mayeb dragons, or sydney roosters or sharks if not south sydney, or even gold coast titans. Still think GI will have a shot at rugby as I/C. He is 6'5, jamie roberts is only 6'4 and SBW 6'3. Same with jamal iris, i think he will have a go at rugby one day to.
Stu
Guest
It's a stupid system that punishes goo coaching and development programs. Take the Broncos, again. Poured money and time into youth, took a risk on a couple of kids and now they're internationals. I talk of Beale and Reed. If a club brings players through the 20s they should be exempt from the cap. I've had enough of the poachers in this comp. As for Inglis, the cap should have allowed him to stay at the storm because he went there as a teenager and they put the time and effort into him. Souths have don't nothing for the game since the professional era of the NRL. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
p.Tah
Guest
Greg there is only one thing to do when you have been dumped like this. Go out and score as often as possible. ;)