Inglis to have 5 game stint with storm

[Super Cronk]

NORTHS chief executive Mark Murray thinks teenage sensation Greg Inglis has played his last game for the club.

Inglis, who has torn the Queensland Wizard Cup to shreds with 23 tries in 12 matches this season, is set to be handed a five-match stint with Melbourne to establish himself in the Storm's first-grade side.

Starting with next weekend's clash against Souths at Aussie Stadium, Inglis will be Melbourne's first-choice fullback while Billy Slater is unavailable because of suspension and State of Origin commitments.

He is then expected to be retained as a winger when Slater is available again.

Inglis is such a special talent the Storm short-circuited an attempt by rugby union's Western Force to snare him by signing him to a three-year deal last month.

Not even Canterbury sensation Sonny Bill Williams commanded a three-year contract when he first emerged at the Bulldogs.

"I don't expect to see him again," said Murray.

Norths coach Wayne Treleaven agreed Inglis was a rare talent.

"He is the only player I have seen who, if he misses a tackle, jumps up and catches up to tackle the player he has missed. He is just an exceptional talent," Treleaven said.

The Storm has slapped a media ban on Inglis, denying curious rugby league supporters an insight into Queensland's most talked-about rugby league teenager.

Inglis was named in the Norths side to confront Easts yesterday at Langlands Park, but it was all part of a smoke-screen to shield him ahead of his first-grade selection.

Inglis is regarded by his peers as a person who lets nothing fluster him.

So down-to-earth is Inglis that he ran the water for the Norths under-17s the weekend after making his NRL debut last month against Parramatta.

"He is very committed, but he also just cruises. Nothing is a problem to him," Treleaven said.

Storm general manager of football Peter O'Sullivan said he had "never seen a kid get so much publicity" given he had played just one NRL match.

"He is potentially one of our fine players. There is nothing he cannot do on the field," said O'Sullivan, who could not believe his luck when he signed Inglis from the NSW mid-north coast as a 14-year-old.

Inglis played against the Eels under a "horses for courses" approach before he was sent back to the Queensland Cup.

But O'Sullivan said Inglis was about to play a series of first-grade matches.

"He will get three or four games in a row and then it is up to him to make sure we have to keep picking him in first grade," O'Sullivan said.

thesundaymail.com.au

[Thunderstruck]

Bah! I read this yesterday, forgot to post it here.

bad news for webster when slater returns.

[Insomniac]

Yeah... and what to do with Steve Turner when he is ready to return (I know it's a fair way away, but still)...

[Thunderstruck]

Turner won't return until near the end of the season and Inglis is about to have a 5 game stint, to be evaluated at its conclusion, mainly to cover for Slater. If anything, they both will push Geyer out of the side next year if not giving him a serious run for his money and . Storm traditionally has had a youth policy but with Waldron on board, I don't know his views on that.

[KimmorleyKiller]

imagine the pace of the backline but...

Slater
Inglis
Turner

[Earl]

1. Billy Slater
2. Greg Inglis
3. Steve Bell
4. Matt King
5. Steve Turner

*slaps face*

[Thunderstruck]

Better make sure King and Bell sign up for next year and beyond.

[Lord Reynoldson]

I just hope that Geyer doesn't get left out in the cold. Although next year, if Bell and King both re-sign, it will be one heck of a fight for the backline spots. I just don't want to see Boofa screwed around.

[Super Cronk]

i dont want geyer to ethier, unless he is playing horrible footy..then let him go...but if he plays like he has this year we should keep him for aslong as we can..he has been loyal to this team and is a great bloke and deserves to stay in our starting line up.

[Earl]

If Geyer had of started of 2005, like 2004, then I'd have no problem with replacing him. But this year his form warrants him another year.

Is he off contract this year?

[simo]

It will be tough for Bellamy to pick a side next year, How can you leave Geyer out when he sets such a example of loyalty to
a club by re-signing for less money, that should be rewarded even over form in some cases, and for the situation we have in Melbourne I think Geyer should be made a example of and givin a starting position somewhere
6.Hill
7.Geyer- he would make a good halfback.

Orford- pack your bags.

[Thunderstruck]

don't give up your day job

[simo]

don't give up your day job

So you think its a joke when a player shows loyalty to a club?????

[steaming stormer]

Geyer would not make a good halfback

[simo]

Thats what everyone said when he was moved to 5/8.