Michael Maguire, Andrew Fifita and Brad Fittler have joined a growing rugby league chorus backing star Greg Inglis to overcome his latest injury battle.
Inglis has been given the week off as he continues to rehabilitate a nagging shoulder issue, as well as shrugging with a stomach virus.
It is the third straight week Inglis has failed to appear for South Sydney, prompting major fears that he may have played his final game in the NRL.
The speculation has since been denied by coach Wayne Bennett, while a resting Inglis has yet to personally allay concerns about his future.
After Rabbitohs players rallied around their skipper this week, former coach Michael Maguire became the latest to voice his confidence over Inglis’ return.
“I’ve had a lot to do with Greg. He’s a champion and I’m sure in the right time, when he comes back in, he’ll produce what he’s capable of doing,” Maguire said.
“He was unbelievable to work with and at the end of the day, he’ll get himself back to where he wants to get to. Any team is aware of what Greg’s capable of doing.”
The shoulder problem continues an injury-plagued start to the season hindered by surgeries on his upper arm and neck.
There are also concerns his health issues have begun to take their toll mentally on the Queensland State of Origin captain.
Inglis, 32, has previously opened up on confronting mental demons stemming from a knee reconstruction that wiped out almost his entire 2017 campaign.
“We just need to give him his time and space,” Fifita said.
“Having gone through wellbeing and mental health, I feel like he has asked for time for a reason and we should acknowledge that and give him space.
“I’m sure if he jumps over the hurdle and sees the light at the end of the tunnel, he’ll come back firing.
“South Sydney are a team bound for finals and are bound to be somewhere in the top eight. To have him coming back late in the season is very scary.”
Fittler was reluctant to weigh in on Inglis’ issues, but remembered how he opted to hang up the boots in 2001 when his body began to betray him.
“I was having a bit of a bludger year in 2001. I was a bit injured, and made some decisions on giving the best for the (Sydney) Roosters,” he said.
Asked for his advice for veteran players also battling injury, Fittler said: “I think it all comes down to whether you enjoy going to training, or is it a task.”
William W
Roar Rookie
How can a player be "out of form" if he is out injured?
RJB
Guest
I wonder what the NRL's position is on psychological/psychiatric conditions is with respect to this? From all reports he is battling depression and other issues which seem to have emerged over the summer. These conditions are just as real and debilitating as physical illness and injury, and given the NRL's supposed stance on player welfare it would not seem unreasonable to allow a medical retirement on this basis, without a salary cap penalty imposed upon Souths.
Chui
Guest
Has to be shown to be a new injury. Not sure how arthritis will go on that front.
Rod
Guest
I think you are right he didn’t count towards there cap. It’s just been a matters of of the insurer paying it out or the club . I reah we are after Goodwin who I really like as a player , certainly not a swap for GI
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Didn't Parra get Watmough taken off of their salary cap because he was forced into "medical retirement"? Again, I could be wrong, but I don't feel like googling it.. ;)
Rod
Guest
It does appear to be well timed if you take that angle . Who knows , would be a handy replacement . Given what he has posted and the uproar of that it would be a brave decision to sign Folau however . There seems to be conflicting reports re the cap . I read that even if GI retires we still have to include that in our cap , which seems a tad unfair.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Because he has 342 log in's...
Rellum
Roar Guru
How are you not?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Not sure if this is correct; If Inglis is "forced" into medical retirement, he would get paid (by insurance) and it wouldn't count against Souths salary cap correct? So from Inglis perspective - someone who has achieved everything - Other than pride, there is little reason to keep playing. And I am sure they will give him some sort of ambassadorial role post playing career. From Souths perspective - obviously at his best he is a valuable asset (even 1/3 of his best is better than Gagai). But if a former NRL star and Wallaby was to, oh I don't know, post something obscene on social media and get out of his ARU contract, that would be something Souths would be able to absorb for this season and into the future without Inglis's contract...
Rube
Guest
How are you a guru?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I hope Inglis comes back. I sorta want every great player to have a barnstorming finish to their career and go out in form rather than a whimper. At his absolute best I think he’s the best player I’ve seen and capable of things no one else is. Sentiment would be a lot more in his corner if not for last year’s DUI and particularly the seemingly sympathetic way it was handled.