Greg Inglis was silenced early in his 200th NRL match, but finished with a roar as an elusive premiership beckons for the South Sydney superstar.
Although Inglis would feel as though he won two grand final rings with the Melbourne Storm, the reality is their 2007 and 2009 titles aren’t recognised because the Storm were found to have systematically rorted the salary cap.
But after bagging a memorable double in the 32-22 defeat of the Roosters on Friday night, Inglis is now within 80 minutes of the most special moment of his glittering career.
Arriving at Redfern in 2011 as the great hope of a proud club starved of success, Inglis has quickly evolved into a Rabbitohs legend.
At the Storm he was part of the ‘big four’, alongside Smith, Slater and Cronk.
But South Sydney – with its proud indigenous culture – is Inglis’ team.
Moving into the No.1 jersey soon after his arrival at Souths, Inglis has gone to another level as a player who had already achieved so much, including an almost unrivalled State of Origin record for Queensland.
However, Friday night’s preliminary final against the Roosters didn’t start well for one of the game’s genuine big-game players.
In the fifth minute he was stood up by Mitchell Pearce’s left-foot step, for the Roosters to lead 6-0.
Then three minutes later, ageing Roosters veteran Anthony Minichiello leapt high above him to come down with a bomb and put the tri-colours up 12-0.
Inglis, nursing a hip injury, was outclassed, but not beaten.
The 27-year-old bounced back with two second-half tries to end a grand final drought for South Sydney dating back to 1971 – 16 years before he was even born.
Inglis’ Clive Churchill medal with Melbourne in 2007 was well deserved. But history shows it was a hollow achievement.
But with the Rabbitohs one game away from history, Inglis is warming towards the crowning performance of his career.
Slatibardfast
Guest
Are the figures based on something other than a feeling you get? My feeling is your "opinion" is 100% wrong.
B Ward
Guest
Knowing Inglis he is playing injured yet people are still quick to run him down. He has proved people wrong his whole career. So happy he chose to play for Qld Not NSW otherwise he would have not been able to show his talents so early in his career.
Cecil
Guest
McCow pretty harsh comments from a couch expert.
Chris morrison
Guest
I'm with you worlds biggest. All these haters on GI. Jealousy is the word that springs to mind
fiver
Guest
Have always thought he was a better centre than fullback.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
After a scratchy start GI played well, the guy scored two tries in a Prelim Final, what more does he have to do. He was busy all night.
Roarsome
Guest
That's Souths game plan! Push the marker defence back or simply step to the side.
Chui
Guest
When will referees stop allowing him to walk two metres off the mark in just about every tackle.
McCow
Guest
Inglis is unreliable 80% of game time. Hayne is unreliable 70% so, Hayne should be fullback. Its just 10% difference between them two this year. Slater is the best ever fullback to be unavailable for one of these two clowns to take the crown
Pmar91
Guest
Inglis was beaten cold by Pearce, out jumped by mini, knocked on a bomb, made no metres, scored 2 soft tries and he gets an article about how well he played??? Did you see Sam burgess tonight??? Hes the one you should be writing about, he was magnificent. Despite Hayne outplaying inglis all year, inglis will be fullback and Hayne centre. Which is ridiculous...looking forward to seeing Hayne collect dally m fullback of the year next Monday.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Slater is injured so it's the best chance he will get.... I'd probably pick Hayne though and keep GI in the centres.
Cecil
Guest
Should be Kangaroos fullback