By Michael Chammas and Emma Lawrence
Greg Inglis has been spotted wearing Wests Tigers gear at the club’s Concord headquarters over the weekend.
The former South Sydney captain, who hasn’t held an official role with the Rabbitohs since 2020, has been brought into the fold at the Tigers as a mentor to boom fullback Jahream Bula.
Greg Inglis spotted at Wests Tigers headquarters this week.
The club insists Inglis has not accepted a role with the club’s coaching staff or been brought in to help the football department, but rather as a confidant to the young fullback.
Inglis has been tasked with assisting Bula off the field as he deals with the adjustment and pressure of going from a relative unknown to a rugby league star within 12 months.
Inglis watched on at training over the weekend, sporting the black and gold for the first time. He’s expected to continue working with Bula, who recently signed a $2.7 million-$2.8 million extension to stay at the Tigers until the end of 2027.
The final year of his deal is a mutual option. If Bula takes up the option he is guaranteed $800,000 in 2027, but if the club takes up the option it will be for $900,000.
Jahream Bula has emerged as one of the Tigers best young stars in years.Credit: Louise Kennerley/SMH
Inglis is managed by Rich Digital, the company part-owned by new Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson alongside his son, Brent.
Richardson was responsible for luring Inglis to South Sydney from the Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2011 season, and has formed a tight bond with him.
The Tigers boss is also involved in Inglis’ Goanna Academy – a program aimed at improving mental health for vulnerable groups across Indigenous communities.
Also attending the training session over the weekend was Australian tennis player Jordan Thompson.
Aussie tennis player Jordan Thompson trained with the Tigers over the weekend.Credit: Wests Tigers
The world No.44, who is a Tigers fan, was invited by club officials who recently learnt of his love for the club. He was put through his paces alongside the players as they gear up for the season.
The Tigers have endured a turbulent off-season following the resignation of former chief executive Justin Pascoe and the dismissal of the entire football club board, including the principal of major sponsor Brydens Lawyers, Lee Hagipantelis.
The club also parted ways with winger David Nofoaluma after agreeing to a $300,000 payout following a series of off-field incidents.
Nofoaluma still had two years to run on his contract worth about $500,000 a season but settled for $300,000 after he was hit with two breach notices within a month.
The club, however, is optimistic about its future following the high-profile signing of Panthers superstar Jarome Luai on a five-year deal worth more than $6 million from next season.
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