'It's an important step for him': Inglis to enter rehabilitation
Greg Inglis has entered rehabilitation as the Rabbitohs legend struggles to adapt to his life in retirement.
South Sydney issued a short statement on Friday confirming Inglis, who hung up his boots earlier this season with more than 18 months left on his Rabbitohs deal, has entered a clinic.
"Rabbitohs and Souths Cares ambassador Greg Inglis has entered a facility to undergo treatment to assist with and support his mental health," a South Sydney statement said.
"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."
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It’s understood the 32-year-old's stint in the rehabilitation facility could be months-long rather than days or weeks.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said on Friday the game would continue to support Inglis, who was handed a role with the Rabbitohs’ charity arm Souths Cares and as a development coach and Indigenous mentor upon his retirement.
"The short answer is we can always do more," Greenberg said.
"I've been in constant contact with Greg and his club. In fact, I am pleased he has taken that step, it's an important step for him. Clearly he has had some difficulties, and I am glad he is getting the specialist support he needs.
"Mental health is an issue, not just for rugby league but for the broader community. We run a number of very important programs, and we have done over a long period of time.
"The most important thing we can continue to do is reduce the stigma, to take away the stigma. When someone puts their hand up and asks for help, that's a good thing.
"What Greg is doing at the moment is reaching out and asking for professional help. Let's remove the stigma and say that's a good thing. He has been open about some of his challenges with mental health.
"I have got to know Greg over a long period of time, it takes real bravery to admit some of your own failures. He'll get the help he needs.
"As a community and as a country, when talking about mental health, it's OK to put your hand up and ask for help. It's actually a sign of great strength."
The NRL made a determination last week on how the $1.5 million Inglis was owed for the rest of his contract would sit on the Rabbitohs’ salary cap, but it's been the least of concerns for the South Sydney hierarchy.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said Inglis was the happiest he'd seen since arriving at the club when he addressed the media after South Sydney’s thumping win over the Broncos earlier this month.
The match doubled as a tribute to Inglis and his former teammates celebrated with his trademark 'goanna' after each try.
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But Inglis' struggles have accelerated in recent weeks to the point where he will enter rehabilitation having first been admitted for mental health issues in 2017.
"The best thing about Greg is that he's getting the support that he needs, OK," Bennett said on Friday.
"So that's as much as I want to talk about it. I don't want to elaborate on it. But that's the situation."
Inglis played 265 NRL matches for both the Storm and Rabbitohs as well as 39 Tests for Australia and 32 games for Queensland in the State of Origin arena.
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