Greg Inglis facts for kids

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Greg Inglis

Personal information
Full name	Gregory Paul Inglis
Born	(1987-01-15) 15 January 1987 (age 38) Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia
Height	195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Fullback, Five-eighth
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2005–10 Melbourne Storm 118 78 24 3 333 2011–19 South Sydney 146 71 0 1 289 2021 Warrington Wolves 3 2 0 0 8 Total 267 151 24 4 630 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2006–18 Queensland 32 18 0 0 72 2006–16 Australia 39 31 0 0 124 2012–17 Indigenous All Stars 4 2 0 0 8 2016 Prime Minister's XIII 1 2 0 0 8
As of 21 May 2021

Gregory Paul Inglis (born 15 January 1987), often called "G.I.", is a retired Indigenous Australian professional rugby league player. He was known for being very versatile, playing in many positions like centre, fullback, five-eighth, and wing.

From 2011 to 2019, Inglis played in the NRL for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He helped them win the premiership in 2014. Before that, he played for the Melbourne Storm, where he won two grand finals. He also won the Clive Churchill Medal and the Golden Boot Award, which means he was considered the world's best player. Inglis also represented Queensland in State of Origin and played for the Australian national team. He was a captain for the Queensland Maroons in 2018. After retiring from the NRL in 2019, he played briefly for the Warrington Wolves in England in 2021. In August 2024, Inglis was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Rugby Beginnings

Inglis was born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. He comes from an Indigenous Australian family with Dunghutti heritage. He started playing rugby league at a very young age for the Bowraville Tigers in New South Wales. While growing up in Macksville, he was close friends with future Australian cricket player Phil Hughes.

At 15, Inglis signed his first professional contract with the Canberra Raiders. He played his first senior game at 16 for Hunter Sports High School in New South Wales. Later that year, he moved to Brisbane, Queensland. He continued to play senior football for Wavell State High School and the Melbourne Storm's feeder club, Norths Devils. By Year 11, he was already seen as a future NRL star. The Storm added Inglis to their main team roster for the next year.

Professional Rugby League Career

Starting with Melbourne Storm (2005-2010)

Inglis made his NRL debut for Melbourne in 2005 at just 18 years old. He scored a try in his first game. He quickly became an important player, often filling in at fullback or wing. In 2005, he was nominated for Rookie of the Year. He also scored a match-winning try in his first finals game against the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2006, Inglis was chosen to play for the Queensland State of Origin team. He scored two tries in his first Origin game. He signed a big contract with the Storm, keeping him at the club until 2010. The Storm won the 2006 NRL season's Minor Premiership but lost the Grand Final. Inglis was then selected for the Australian team and scored four tries in his first three international matches.

In 2007, Inglis played as a five-eighth and winger. He scored three tries in two games for Queensland, helping them win their second straight Origin series. The Storm had a fantastic season, winning their second consecutive Minor Premiership. They went on to win the 2007 NRL Grand Final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 34–8. Inglis was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for being the best player in the Grand Final. He also scored three tries for Australia in a big win against New Zealand.

Inglis playing for the Melbourne Storm in 2008

In 2008, Inglis continued to shine. He was named Five-eighth of the Year and Representative Player of the Year at the 2008 Dally M Awards. The Storm reached the Grand Final again but lost to the Sea Eagles. Inglis played in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup for Australia, scoring six tries in four games.

In 2009, Inglis gained some weight but started the season strong, even kicking a match-winning field goal. He played for Australia in the 2009 Anzac Test and was part of an all-Queensland backline, a rare achievement. He was picked for Queensland in the 2009 State of Origin series and scored two tries in Game 1. Queensland won their fourth consecutive Origin series, and Inglis received the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player of the series. The Storm won the 2009 NRL Grand Final, making Inglis a dual-premiership player. He also won the Golden Boot Award as the world's best rugby league player.

In 2010, Inglis played his 100th NRL match. He continued to play for Australia and Queensland, helping Queensland achieve a record fifth straight Origin series win. Due to club challenges, Inglis left the Storm at the end of 2010.

Moving to South Sydney Rabbitohs (2011-2019)

Inglis joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2011 season. He made his debut for the Rabbitohs, scoring a try. Despite an injury, he returned to play for Queensland in the Origin series, helping them win their sixth consecutive series.

Inglis at the 2012 Dally M Awards

In 2012, Inglis played his first All-Star game. He moved to his original position of fullback for the Rabbitohs and played very well. He became the greatest try scorer in Origin history by scoring his 13th try for Queensland. The Rabbitohs had a strong season, finishing 3rd on the ladder.

In 2013, Inglis continued his excellent form for Australia and Queensland, helping Queensland win their eighth consecutive Origin series. He was named Fullback of the Year at the 2013 Dally M Awards and won the Provan-Summons Medal. He also played for Australia in their successful 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign.

In 2014, Inglis captained the Rabbitohs for the first time. He played his 200th NRL career match in the Preliminary Final, helping the Rabbitohs reach the Grand Final. On 5 October 2014, Inglis scored the final try in the Rabbitohs' 30–6 victory in the 2014 NRL Grand Final. This win gave him his first official premiership ring.

In 2015, Inglis was appointed captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He played for the Indigenous All Stars and scored a try in their win. He also captained the Rabbitohs to a record 39–0 win in the 2015 World Club Series. Inglis played a key role in Queensland's big wins in the 2015 State of Origin series.

Inglis warming up for Australia at the London Stadium in 2016

In 2016, Inglis was named captain of the Indigenous All Stars team. He continued to play for Australia and Queensland. He was also named captain of the Australian Prime Minister's XIII. In October 2016, he signed a new contract to stay with the Rabbitohs until 2020.

Inglis at a North Sydney Bears game in 2017

In 2017, Inglis suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first round of the NRL season. He made a strong return in 2018, playing 19 matches and scoring 10 tries for the Rabbitohs. He was chosen to be the captain of the Queensland Maroons by coach Kevin Walters for State of Origin.

On 15 April 2019, Inglis announced his immediate retirement from the NRL. In August 2019, he was named at centre in the Queensland Maroons Team of the Decade.

Playing in England (2021)

In May 2020, it was announced that Inglis would come out of retirement to play for the Super League team Warrington in 2021. He made his debut for Warrington in Round 5, scoring a try. However, after just three games, a hamstring injury ended his time with the club. He stayed on as a volunteer mentor for the rest of the 2021 season.

Life After Playing Rugby League

In August 2024, Greg Inglis was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame. He was Hall of Fame number 125.

In January 2025, the Wests Tigers announced that Inglis had joined their NRLW (women's rugby league) coaching staff. A few days later, in February 2025, Inglis also joined the coaching staff for the Women's State of Origin squad.

Personal Connections

Inglis's cousins include rugby league players Albert Kelly, Beau Champion, and Preston Campbell. He was also very close friends with Australian former Cricket Player Phil Hughes, having grown up playing junior sports with him.

Greg Inglis Clothing Line

In July 2012, Inglis launched his own clothing line. It features his initials "GI" and a silhouette of him fending off an opponent, similar to the famous Michael Jordan "Air Jordan" brand.

Statistics

NRL

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts	W	L	D	W-L %
2005	Melbourne Storm	13	7	0	—	0	28	7	6	0	53.8
2006		19	18	2	40.0	0	76	15	4	0	78.9
2007†		20	9	0	—	0	36	17	3	0	85.0
2008		22	17	0	—	1	69	17	5	0	77.3
2009†		23	16	0	0.0	2	66	15	7	1	67.4
2010		20	11	7	70.0	0	58	12	8	0	60.0
2011	South Sydney Rabbitohs	18	8	0	—	0	32	9	9	0	50.0
2012		22	12	0	—	1	49	13	9	0	59.1
2013		20	14	0	—	0	56	16	4	0	80.0
2014†		24	13	0	—	0	52	16	8	0	66.7
2015		20	8	0	—	0	32	12	8	0	60.0
2016		20	5	0	—	0	20	9	11	0	45.0
2017		1	1	0	—	0	4	0	1	0	0
2018		19	10				40
2019		2
2021	Warrington Wolves	3	2				4
Career totals		267	151	9	56.3	4	630	158	83	1	65.29

= Unfinished season

State of Origin

Australia

Awards and Honours

Individual Awards

• 2006 Rugby League International Federation International Newcomer of the Year Award
• 2007 Melbourne Storm Team of the Decade (Centre)
• 2007 Clive Churchill Medallist
• 2008 Indigenous Team of the Century (Centre)
• 2008 Dally M Peter Frilingos Memorial Award for the headline moment of the year
• 2008 Dally M Five-eighth of the Year
• 2008 Dally M Representative Player of the Year
• 2009 Wally Lewis Medallist
• 2009 Dally M Representative Player of the Year
• 2009 Melbourne Storm Back of the Year Award
• 2009 Rugby League Four Nations Player of the Tournament
• 2009 Golden Boot Award Rugby League World International Player of the Year
• 2013 Dally M Fullback of the Year
• 2013 Dally M Provan-Summons Medallist
• 2024 National Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee: #125

Team Achievements

• 2006 NRL Grand Final Runner-up
• 2007 NRL Grand Final Winners
• 2008 NRL Grand Final Runner-up
• 2009 NRL Grand Final Winners
• 2010 World Club Challenge Winners
• 2014 NRL Grand Final Winners

The Goanna Celebration

During his rugby league career, Inglis was famous for his special try celebration. After scoring a try, he would imitate the 'Goanna', a type of lizard.

Accolades

In August 2008, Inglis was named at centre in the Indigenous Team of the Century.