Greg Inglis announces retirement from rugby league
South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis has called an immediate end to his glittering 15-year NRL career, almost two years before his planned retirement date.
NRL
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They were the five words that ended one of the greatest playing careers in rugby league’s 111-year history.
“It’s come to an end.”
And with that, South Sydney, Queensland and Australian superstar Greg Inglis concluded a wonderful 15-year career. After 263 NRL games, 39 Tests and 32 Origin games, the drive and willingness to compete in the weekly NRL grind had slowly evaporated.
With teammates Sam Burgess, Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker, John Sutton, Dane Gagai, George Burgess and John Sutton watching on, Inglis revealed: “It was time.”
Inglis personally hugged each teammate as he left the ground.
Souths fans waiting outside Redfern Oval were left shattered. One woman burst into tears and sought comfort from her partner while another yelled to Inglis: “Thanks for the memories.”
Inglis, whose family sat in on the press conference, will be remembered as one of the finest players of all-time, a future Hall of Famer and possible Immortal. His career wasn’t without controversy but through each drama emerged a player of dignity and respect.
“What a career. It’s unfortunate it’s come to an end. Today is the official announcement of my retirement. It’s been an incredible journey. I’m happy with my decision. I just knew I wasn’t in the right head space, to be quite honest,” Inglis said.
“I have made my decision not based on the hunger or the passion, I just knew it was time.
“There’s no retirement due to mental illness or injuries. I have bounced back from an ACL, bounced back from many injuries before. It wasn’t that. I just think it’s time and it’s the right decision for myself. I have been contemplating it for a while now. I have come to terms with it.”
“If I can’t go out and play at 100 per cent then I won’t be able to perform the best for my team. If I don’t give 100 per cent, I won’t be playing. I should lead the boys the best way I can. I couldn’t be that leader anymore, the leader I used to be. And I can’t have that presence that I used to have.
“I was racing the clock, the weight is off my shoulders. My body hasn’t given up on me but it’s time. No-one else called it. I’m happy with myself and happy with my decision. That’s all that matters. I’ve got no regrets.”
Inglis told Souths teammates of his decision after their win over New Zealand on Saturday. Hooker Damien Cook broke down in tears.
“I couldn’t look at Damien Cook, he started crying,” Inglis said.
“He’s a sook.
“He’s a little bit of a sook, my little mate. I couldn’t look at him. He was the first one and I had to put my head down and look elsewhere.
Aged 32, Inglis will be presented to the crowd at Souths’ next home game in round eight against Brisbane, a much-anticipated clash with coach Wayne Bennett and Broncos mentor Anthony Seibold going up against their former clubs.
“Wayne’s been a massive influence for me since he arrived here. I’ve always wanted to play under Wayne – I said that to him – it’s unfortunate I only got to play two games under him,” Inglis said.
“I get to come here every day and still annoy him; his passion for his players is second to none. This club has given me everything, every opportunity, and my former club, Melbourne Storm, they gave me my start. It’s been an incredible journey, a remarkable ride.”
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, Inglis said: “Someone that just loved playing the game.”
Inglis emerged as a skinny kid from the NSW north coast but quickly developed into one of the most brutal and powerful centres the game had ever seen.
His manager, Allan Gainey, will meet Souths officials Tuesday to sort out a financial settlement for his client.
Rabbitohs officials say they already have enough money in their salary cap to chase a replacement for Inglis.
“It’s the hardest part of a footballer’s life is to get to that point where you know your time’s up, when you don’t have the passion you need for it. Sometimes we play a year too long or stay a year too long. In Greg’s case that’s not going to happen,” Bennett said.
“He’s one of the great players of his generation, but also one of the great players in the history of our game. Whenever the great players are going to be mentioned he’s always going to be there.
“You don’t replace, so him we’re not going to try to do that. We’ll just get someone to put number four and play in that position. We’re not going to replace him, he’s unique.
“You’ve never found another Allan Langer, we’ve never found another Andrew Johns. They are all different but we will get on with it. We’d love for him to play with us this year, but he’s made the right decision.
“I didn’t try (to persuade him to retire), but I didn’t talk him into it either. No one can make (that decision). You’ve got to know the time. He came to his own conclusion. If he wanted to play tomorrow he would play.”
Inglis spoke last week about his retirement plan to NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg, QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and Queensland coach Kevin Walters
Arthritis in his left shoulder along with knee and neck injuries pushed Inglis to the edge. He was under contract until the end of next season.
“It’s not a sad day for the club, it’s a great day. He’s had a wonderful career with us. It’s a tough call when he came to see Wayne and I last Monday. He actually told us then he wanted to retire. Both Wayne and I said, ‘this is a big call Greg. You need to go away and think about this and talk to your family’,” said Souths general manager of football, Shane Richardson.
“People will go on about all sorts of financial things but the reality is he has made a decision based on himself, his own life and his family.”