NRL icon Greg Inglis has been admitted to a Sydney rehabilitation clinic following his recent retirement from the Rabbitohs.
The Daily Telegraph first reported the 32-year-old, who has been spending time as an assistant coach at Redfern, is being treated for alcohol and depression issues.
A depressed and fragile Inglis is understood to be struggling with life post-football.
“Inglis has entered a facility to undergo treatment to assist with and support his mental health,” Rabbitohs media manager Jeremy Monahan a statement.
“On behalf of Greg and his family, we ask the media and the public to respect their privacy. No further comment will be made by the Rabbitohs, Greg, his management or his family at this time.”
NRL reporter Danny Weidler said Inglis “went missing” during the league’s recent “Magic Round”, forcing Souths to take action.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said his former star centre was “getting the support he needs”.
“The best thing I say about Greg is that he’s getting the support that he needs,” Bennett said.
“So that’s as much as I want to talk about it, elaborate on it. But that’s the situation.”
NRL boss Todd Greenberg threw his support behind Inglis after it was revealed the former player is struggling with long-term mental health issues.
“It will be a journey for Greg. But he’s got a lot of support,” Greenberg said on Thursday.
“He’s got a lot of people around him, including all of us at the NRL.”
Inglis has bravely shared his mental health journey with the league community in the past, including revealing he spent time in a mental health rehab facility almost two years ago.
The last six months have been a difficult period for the veteran star, who lost the Kangaroos captaincy after he was caught drink driving on his way home from the Koori Knockout in Dubbo in October 2018.
Greenberg came under fire at the time for providing a character reference for Inglis, but argued his support was for the player and not the action.
“It was a reference on his character, it didn’t go to the issue that he faced,” he said.
“It was a terrible issue that he faced it was terrible mistake and he paid a price for that. It’s about his character. I’ve known Greg for a decade, he’s a very good person.”
Former Storm and Queensland teammate Cameron Smith tributed the outgoing star last month after his retirement press conference, saying he was confident he was in good hands post-footy.
“I know Greg has a lot of support at the Rabbitohs. They’re a strong club, built on a strong culture and leadership. Whatever aspect/department of the club he works in he will prosper,” Smith wrote on PlayersVoice. “He’s always part of the Melbourne Storm family too, so there a lot of people who want to see him succeed and enjoy his life post-playing.
“He’s admired and loved by a lot of people so there’s never ever going to be a time where there’s no one there to help, if he ever needs it.
‘That comes down to Greg. If there is a time where he needs help, he only needs to pick up the phone and call someone and there will be help there straightaway.”
Inglis decided to call it quits on professional footy in April, ending a glittering career netting multiple premierships alongside a lengthy representative career.
One of the most decorated players of the 21st century, Inglis battled a serious shoulder problem in recent months and didn’t play a game beyond round two against St George Illawarra.
He ends his tenure on the field with 263 games under his belt, not including 32 Origin appearances and 39 Kangaroos caps.
Damaging at both centre and fullback, Inglis made his name as Melbourne began their dominant era in 2006 and remained part of the Storm’s success until forced to leave amid the salary cap scandal.
He landed at Redfern desperate to end the Rabbitohs’ title drought, doing so in the 2014 grand final as he scored the final try and sent the burrow into delirium.
He was just as dominant at representative level, forming arguably the greatest centre-wing combination in State of Origin history with Darius Boyd on Queensland’s left edge.
There he scored the majority of his 18 Origin tries, while also crossing the line 31 times in 39 Kangaroos appearances.
GREG INGLIS BY THE NUMBERS
Age: 32
Born: 15 January 1987 in Kempsey, NSW
First junior club: Bowraville Tigers
NRL debut: 16 April, 2005 (Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta, round 6)
NRL retirement: April 15, 2019
Playing career: Melbourne Storm 2005-10, South Sydney 2011-2019
- 10 State of Origin series wins with Queensland
- Remains the most prolific try scorer in State of Origin history with 18 tries
- Named Queensland’s 13th State of Origin captain
- Captained Indigenous All Stars and Prime Ministers’ XIII sides
- 39 test caps for Australia
- 1 NRL premiership with South Sydney in 2014, his premierships with Melbourne Storm remain stripped
- Inglis has three children Nate Alexander (5), Quinsy (4) and Ryley.
- He married long-term partner Sally Robinson in 2010. There were reports earlier this year that the couple separated over this summer.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.
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