Greg Inglis

Few players have dominated on the rugby league field like Greg Inglis, whether playing at fullback or centre, for the Storm, Rabbitohs, Queensland or Australia.

His speed, size, fend, aerial ability and crunching defence made him the complete package, and, as he matured, his leadership, on and off the field, proved an inspiration to many, particularly those in the Indigenous community.

Born at Kempsey, New South Wales, Inglis grew up playing his junior football with the Bowraville Tigers. At the age of 15, he moved to Brisbane, where he attended Wavell State High School, from where he was signed by Melbourne Storm, and placed into the Brisbane Norths' system. 

He first made the headlines when he burst onto the scene with Norths Devils, in the Intrust Super Cup, as a 17-year-old, scoring two tries on debut.

In 2005, he made his NRL debut for the Storm and made 13 appearances for the club in his rookie season. He still did enough in the Intrust Super Cup to be named 'The Courier-Mail' Player of the Year in that competition, after scoring 18 tries and kicking 39 goals. The 2006 campaign was to prove the breakout season for Inglis, who made 19 appearances for the Storm and scored 18 tries.

He was chosen to make his State of Origin debut for the Maroons in Game I, and scored two tries on debut. Inglis capped off a stellar year, playing in the 2006 NRL grand final with the Storm, followed by his Test debut for Australia in the Tri Nations series.

Inglis went on to play in the Storm's grand final wins in 2007 and 2009, claiming the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match in the 2007 decider against Manly.

After 118 NRL appearances for the Storm, Inglis signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2011, going on to play nine seasons for the club, winning the George Piggins' Medal as Player of the Year in 2013 (joint winner with John Sutton) and 2015. 

Inglis scored a try in Souths' 30-6 win over Canterbury in the 2014 grand final, the Rabbitohs' first premiership title since 1971.

In 2012, he became the highest try scorer in Origin history, crossing for his 13th four pointer in that arena, and overtaking previous record holder, fellow Maroon Indigenous star, Dale Shearer (12 tries).

Inglis finished his Origin career with 18 tries, which remains the record for the most tries in Origin.

After 30 games for Queensland, Inglis was named to lead the Maroons in the 2018 series, becoming Queensland's 13th captain, and third Indigenous captain. He had already captained the Indigenous All Stars.

In April, 2019, Inglis announced his retirement, finishing his glittering career as one of the greatest to ever play rugby league, with 263 NRL matches, and 39 Tests for Australia.

I came to Queensland for a reason, because I felt a sense of belonging and a sense of family.

Greg Inglis FOG#152

He scored 31 tries playing for his country and was part of the 2013 World Cup winning side.

His feat of athleticism in the Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG in 2008, will never be forgotten. It was a moment which left fans at the ground, and those at home watching on television, searching for superlatives. Johnathan Thurston had put in a cross field kick, which seemed certain to go dead, after the ball bounced off the chest of Inglis. But 'GI' dived full length through the air, caught the ball on his finger tips and threw it backwards over his head, into the waiting arms of centre, Mark Gasnier, who scored.

Inglis played 32 games for the Queensland Maroons, scoring 18 tries and winning 11 series in 14 years. He was player of the match in Game II, 2008 and Wally Lewis Medal winner in 2009.

Greg made a brief comeback in 2021, playing three games with Warrington in England, before injury forced him to call it quits.

In retirement, he has established the 'Goanna Academy' (named after his legendary try celebration), an organisation which works for the betterment of the Indigenous community.