Melbourne spend $1.4m on teen

[DIEHARD]

By Cameron Bell - November 6, 2005

MELBOURNE Storm are poised to outlay more than $1million for an 18-year-old from Macksville that coach Craig Bellamy has described as "a young Laurie Daley".

Greg Inglis, who has played only 13 NRL games, will this week sign one of the most lucrative contracts ever afforded a rookie in the NRL in a deal brokered by manager Allan Gainey that has the potential to earn him well over $1m by the time he is 22.

"I'm cheering about it," Inglis said yesterday. "It's a great deal. I love it down here and I'm just looking forward to everything that is ahead of me."

Speaking from England, where he is assistant coach of the Kangaroos, Bellamy said Inglis was worth every cent.

"If we didn't come up with that sort of money for him, someone else would have," Bellamy said.

"We certainly didn't want to lose him and we think he is certainly worth that sort of money - especially down the track."

Bellamy can't remember being as excited about a young league prospect as he is about Inglis, who will get first crack at centre next year following the departure of Steven Bell to Manly.

"I'm pretty excited about him ... I think he is an exceptional kid," Bellamy said.

"I've been around the game a while and whilst I generally hate comparisons, he reminds me a lot of a young Laurie Daley. I don't like putting pressure on kids but he's a confident sort of kid in a good way and I don't think that comparison would worry him too much."

Inglis is unfazed at the amount of money being thrown at him, despite the fact he has only dipped his toe into the NRL.

"It is a good contract and I've got to show now over the next three or four years that I'm worth it," he said. "I know I've still got plenty to learn but I love it in Melbourne and the coaching staff and all the players are just great to be around.

"I really like the way the club treats its players."

Inglis has his sights on representative football, confirming he wants to play State of Origin for Queensland despite the fact he grew up on the NSW mid-north coast.

"I think there might be better opportunities for me in Queensland and I've had a year up there," he said, referring to when the Storm put him through Wavell High in Year 12.

Inglis has played for the Queensland under-19s but Bellamy said it was too early to talk Origin next year, and expressed surprise he had declared himself a Maroon.

"I don't think it will be a problem for him making either Origin team down the track," Bellamy said. "But I think he needs a full NRL season first. Having said that, he is a very special kid."

The Sunday Telegraph - http://www.news.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Greg Inglis is a super star of the future and hopefully will help keep Karmichael Hunt well away from a Maroons jersey.

We also have Tim Smith....the future for Queensland is bright!

[Queenslander]

Greg Inglis is a super star of the future and hopefully will help keep Karmichael Hunt well away from a Maroons jersey.

We also have Tim Smith....the future for Queensland is bright!

I couldnt agree more, NSW must be quaking in their boots :emp:

[DIEHARD]

I couldnt agree more, NSW must be quaking in their boots :emp:

I can see a new Maroon dynasty coming! It will be the early 1980s all over again.

Especially with the Titans backing up the Maroons with top world class players. :naughty:

The Titans will really help the Maroons over the coming years, they will turbo charge the Queenslanders!

[Queenslander]

I can see a new Maroon dynasty coming! It will be the early 1980s all over again.

Especially with the Titans backing up the Maroons with top world class players. :naughty:

The Titans will really help the Maroons over the coming years, they will turbo charge the Queenslanders!

Yes ten years of maroon brilliance i cant wait! That would shut Phil :noidea: Gould up

[..::Coops::..]

i know this is a bit off the topic of inglis and all, but with the talk about origin, what about sammy T - is he QLD eligable?? cos he too would be a great asset down the track.

[[BroncosGirl]]

i know this is a bit off the topic of inglis and all, but with the talk about origin, what about sammy T - is he QLD eligable?? cos he too would be a great asset down the track.

I think he is, he would be a great asset for Qld.

Greg Inglis certainly is a great player.

[Super Cronk]

Im happy as larry about this deal....inglis will be great for the club in a regular position and cannot wait to see him at his best.

[Super Cronk]

hey original idiot....are you still holding onto the slim hope that inglis will go to GC :noidea:

maybe he will give up the $1 mill + to go to the GC....

[DeeGan]

Smart move, as Bellamy said, if the Storm didn't do this another club would of been more than willing to offer the same sort of money as he is a rare talent and will light up the NRL for years to come starting in 2006.

DeeGan

[Ipswich Fan]

I knew from the moment that i saw him play u/19's for Brisbane Norths that he was a future rep player & i still believe that. I think it's great that Melbourne have shown confidence in the young guy with this deal.

[Dakink]

Oh NO!! We are quacking in our boots!!

Dont make me laugh - A QLD dynasty is nothing but a fantasy!!! Hopefully QLd can become more competitive at least....

Good to see you still have confidence - it's been awhile since a series win hasn't it...;-)

[The Original Idiot]

Many good players show their colours later than this. Inglis will probably take the kicking duties now that Awful Orford is gone.

[Super Cronk]

Many good players show their colours later than this. Inglis will probably take the kicking duties now that Awful Orford is gone.

yep...orford couldnt kick a goal to save his life and inglis is good with the boot.

[ridgey]

worth every cent!