Greg Inglis a chance to play for Rabbitohs in Charity Shield

THAT left knee of Greg Inglis — injured so controversially in the 2017 season opener — is being treated with all the secrecy of a Federal Parliament love tryst.

Greg Inglis is making his way back from a serious injury. Picture: Brett Costello

GREG Inglis, in the first set of Souths ballwork Friday morning, lined up at left centre.

No strapping. No limping.

No worries.

Beautiful.

He’s back.

And so as that said set moved off upfield, Inglis went with it — looking anything but a fella whose bung ACL has kept him out of rugby league for 358 days and counting.

“He’s just got a presence, hasn’t he?” said Nathan Blacklock, watching proceedings while leaned against the same fence. “Are they saying he’ll play Saturday night?”

And just as the words ‘yes’ seemed the only answer, Souths turned for their second set ... and Inglis withdrew.

Huh?

More confusing, he stayed out for the six tackles after that, too.

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South Sydney's Greg Inglis has his leg attended during a game. Picture: Brett Costello

Which suddenly has you wondering if, maybe, he felt a twinge? re-injured the knee?

The list of possibilities endless until — what? -- he jumped back in again.

Which basically sums up how the past 48 hours in Mudgee have been.

That left knee of Inglis — injured so controversially in the 2017 season opener — being treated with all the secrecy of a Federal Parliament love tryst.

Which would be fun during, say, Origin.

But February?

Even after training, Inglis politely declined our interview while coach Anthony Seibold suggested his megastar, while “champing at the bit”, would not be cleared unless okayed by medical staff.

“Obviously Greg had a little run today [Friday],” Seibold said. “But we need to have a chat with our medical staff and come up with a decision tomorrow [Saturday].

“We’re in no rush.

“Greg is definitely right at the pointy end.

Greg Inglis during South Sydney rugby league training at Redfern Oval, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

“He’s been training with the group for a month. Had no restrictions for the past few weeks.

“But (the coaching staff) has always spoken about not rushing him back.

“So we’ll get together overnight and make a final decision Saturday afternoon.”

Despite initially being ruled out of the game against St Illawarra, Inglis arrived in Mudgee on the team bus late Thursday evening.

And while initial reports suggested he was here only for ‘promotional’ purposes, the Souths star then skipped a scheduled signing session to stay at the team hotel, receiving physio on his knee.

Which is why The Daily Telegraph arrived at Mudgee’s $14 million sports mecca early Friday morning for answers.

Instead, the session only seemed to toss up questions.

Like when after the brief ballwork session, of which Inglis completed two of six sets, he then lined up for bombs — catching one, two, three, four ... uh oh.

Without speaking to anyone, GI suddenly moved to the sideline.

Headed for what must surely be strapping tape, ice pack, team physio?

Nup. Kicking tee.

Lifting the small, green mould from the ground, Inglis then returned to the middle and swung through a handful of kick offs before disappearing up the tunnel.

South Sydney's Greg Inglis after scoring a try with an injured knee against Tigers. Picture: Brett Costello

And so we pestered Blacklock.

The Tingha legend who is this weekend on staff with the NSW Indigenous u/16s, who play Queensland in a curtain-raiser.

Quizzed on where Inglis should play in 2018, Blacklock said: “Doesn’t matter.

“At fullback, he’s obviously unpredictable. But coming back from the knee, centre’s the right move.

“And he’ll be so hungry.

“Will give them such a presence, too. Greg really is the backbone of this team.”

Originally published as Greg Inglis a chance to play for Rabbitohs in Charity Shield