The last of Queensland’s golden generation is set to walk off into the sunset with Greg Inglis announcing he will retire from the NRL at the end of 2020 and 2019 will be his final year of representative football.
The South Sydney skipper on Friday put an end date on his illustrious career that has included 261 NRL games, three premierships, five grand finals, 39 Tests for Australia and 32 Origins for Queensland.
“I grew up loving the sport of rugby league, there is no other sport for me and I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream,” the 32-year-old said.
“Therefore 2020 will be my last season of NRL football. By announcing this now it means I can focus on the job at hand here at South Sydney over the next two years.
“It will also be my final year of rep footy in 2019, if I’m fortunate enough to be selected, and I will give everything I have to the Australian and Queensland jerseys as I have throughout my career.”
Inglis’ Origin eligibility for the Maroons has been a point of contention south of the Tweed River given he was born and bred in Kempsey and only moved to Brisbane as a teenager after he joined Melbourne feeder club the Norths Devils.
But his feats in the Origin arena and contribution to Queensland’s eight-year reign of dominance mean he will be remembered as one of the state’s all-time greats
After the Maroons bid farewell to Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk over the last 12 months, it leaves Inglis as the sole remaining member of a generation of players whose feats are unlikely to ever be repeated.
It will also give Inglis a chance to regain the Australian captaincy after being stripped of the title in October last year.
After handed the honour by coach Mal Meninga, he was stood down after being caught drink driving without ever leading out the Kangaroos.
He will also be celebrated as one of the all-time great indigenous players and one of the game’s role models.
Inglis began his career with the Storm but was forced out at the end of 2010 following the club’s salary cap scandal.
A move to the Rabbitohs, and a shift to fullback, solidified his legacy after he played a leading part in their drought-breaking premiership in 2014.
He flagged the possibility of moving into coaching post-retirement and said he was committed to capitalising on the club’s premiership window under new coach Wayne Bennett over the next two seasons.
“For the next two years I’ll be giving everything I can to this great club,” Inglis said.
Nat
Roar Guru
It should be praise enough being compare to an immortal but they are completely different players. Where Mal was brute force GI is to lesser extent but with far more athleticism. I don't think it's a measure of a player by the amount of premierships they won as there are 16 other guys who contribute equally. Further, that Canberra team was ridiculous - in the best possible way.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
My first sight of GI was on tv watching Qld Cup, Norths Devils v someone else and I saw this young fullback cut and dice the opposition every time he touched the ball. My thought was this fella can play.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
He always been compared to mal meninga. Question is, will be be regarded as better than mal meninga at the end of 2020. I think he needs to win another comp.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
If he doesn't miss any games you are looking at around 50 more NRL games - and with this announcement probably 45 will be on Nine..... If you thought the Johnathon Thurston farewell tour was long.... Wait till Ray Warren and James Bracey get hold of this. Obviously a great player with many outstanding achievements, both personal and team wise - The thing I always think about first when I think of Greg Inglis though, is the Dean Young hit (which he tried to follow up with some knees into the player diving on the loose ball). One of the more ordinary tackles ever and still puzzles me how he wasn't sent off for it.
DaveR
Guest
Congratulations GI, best rugby player (both codes) I have watched in my adult life, closely followed by Wally and Mal, just pure natural skill. I was lucky enough to see your first NRL game for Storm in 2005. Should have played origin for NSW, but a please to watch you play at that level anyway. Secondly, the way you are announcing your retirement is to be commended. No mystery, just laid out square.
Nat
Roar Guru
Gday Jimmmy, hope you had a good festive season mate. I got back up to gods country to see the fam. Bloody wind blew out the fishing trip though! Filthy. Yeah, he's such an affable bloke GI. I've run into him a few times at different events and such a softly spoken fella, always smiling. Then goes beast when he crosses the chalk.
jimmmy
Guest
Hi Nat, seasons greetings. I also had a good interaction with GI . He was in Darwin for a coaching clinic that I took my grandson to. After it was over he organised a game of touch with everyone . Not sure who enjoyed it more , the kids, GI ( who had the biggest smile on his face for the whole game ) or the biggest kid of all ( me). A privilege to watch this guy play footy.
Nat
Roar Guru
You know you're getting old when you've watched a skinny young fella torment men as a 17yo for Brisbane Norths, make his mark in the Big 4 in Melbourne. He then goes onto set Suncorp alight in the Maroons jumper, restore pride in a proud Sydney club and earn the captain role of club, State and Country before announcing his retirement. For a lot of players you can pick a moment when he was at his best. GI, just got better and I'm happy to have been around in his time to tell the next gen of this phenomenal player and person. Personal story. I happened to be at a hotel in Brisbane one night when the entire Qld team walked, immediately reducing me to a 10yo fan boy. While I'm not one for selfies, this opportunity I had to take. Then my phone plays up so I just shake their hands. 3 times during the night as we passed each other GI asked if I'd fixed the phone to get that shot. It's one thing for a player to take a shot with you when asked. It's another to go out of their way to ensure you got that memory.
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Exactly right, Queenslander!!!
Paul
Roar Guru
I hope he gets his wish and can play out the last two seasons. Injuries have not been kind to Mr Inglis in recent years. I also hope he gets to captain the Kangaroos at least once. That would cap off a great career
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
Queenslander mate , nothing beats a squashed roach
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Just watched it again Matt. Like fine wine it only gets better with age.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The best runner of a football I've seen. He demoralised a few opponents at his peak just like Mitchell the Mauler is doing now.
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Just getting you blues back for taking Peter Sterling off us.
Matt
Guest
I think that fend on Soward is on the one minute highlights package on nrl.com at the moment. It is one of the best attacking weapons I've ever seen on a rugby league field.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Ah GI. What a player he was ( and still is). Three great memories I have ,are firstly of him running down that left side at Suncorp either scoring or setting up yet another Maroons try . Man he could motor. The second one is that try he scored for Souths against the Broncs. If he didn’t beat every Broncos player thenmaybe he missed one, Lastly his fend . The best I have ever seen in RL. That right hand across his body , what a weapon. I had the one on Jamie Soward on continuous loop for a week. Thanks GI , I am glad I get to watch you for two more years . Thanks GI
AngryEagle47
Roar Rookie
The greatest NSW centre to ever play for Qld
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Let’s just hope he can keep out of bloody trouble
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
It's been, and will be for another two years, a pleasure to watch you play for the Rabbitohs