Inglis could change gameDave Donaghy
February 09, 2007 12:00am
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FORMER international Matthew Johns says Melbourne sensation Greg Inglis's shift to five-eighth this season will revolutionise the position.
Johns, who played eight Tests for Australia, said Inglis would break the mould of a traditional five-eighth, claiming his athleticism would add a new dimension to the key playmaking role.
A former five-eighth at Newcastle and Cronulla, Johns backed Storm coach Craig Bellamy's shock decision to move Inglis -- already one of the game's most effective outside backs -- closer to the action.
He said Inglis, 20, could make the position his own.
"He could develop into the type of five-eighth we've never seen before, just something totally unorthodox, totally different," Johns said last night.
"I think the five-eighth role has changed a lot since I played.
"I think the five-eighth role now is that, while you need to be a ball player, it's very much in my opinion a running position.
"It was a position that has changed and evolved.
"Inglis is a very talented footballer, but primarily he's just an incredible athlete. So I think putting those things together, trying to marry them in, I think he could be an enormous success.
"He's not going to be a Terry Lamb or Laurie Daley. He's certainly not going to be a Cliffy Lyons. But he's going to give the position something we've never seen before.
"You couldn't compare him to anyone. It's an exciting time. There's no doubt Craig's taking a risk, but I think it will pay off."
Storm veteran Matt Geyer, who could be used at five-eighth during the season, said there was a lot of pressure being heaped on Inglis's young shoulders.
"I know it's going to put a lot of pressure on Greg, but we need him to be brilliant every week," he said. "We all saw last year what he can do."
A part-time assistant coach to Bellamy, Johns has been handed the task of shaping Inglis's game following his stunning success at turning halfback Cooper Cronk into one of the game's most exciting young talents.
He conducted two strenuous sessions with the Storm's halves, including Inglis, Cronk and bargain recruit Russell Aitken, at club headquarters at Princes Park yesterday.
Bellamy said Johns' role proved pivotal to Melbourne's drive towards last year's grand final.
"We used Matty to fast track Coops, basically," he said. "Matty needs to take a lot of the credit for Coops' development."
Johns backed Inglis's kicking and passing games to survive any acid test from opposition teams trying to expose a weakness.
Inglis is likely to be named on the bench for the club's opening pre-season trial against the Gold Coast in Coffs Harbour next weekend as Bellamy eases him back into action following a hectic past 12 months.
Aitken looks set to start alongside halfback Cronk, while winger Steve Turner is almost certain to confront the team he refused to join during the off-season.
Prodigal son Matt Rua is expected to play his first game for the Storm since 2000 after five years in the rugby league wilderness.
Melbourne will base its training at Camp Wallaby during the week leading up to the trial.
"We should be almost at full strength in the backs," Bellamy said.
Storm players participating in the NRL's community carnival visited Geelong yesterday with the whirlwind three-day promotional tour to wrap up at Barwon Heads today
....One thing I will say is - that if anyone can do as Johns suggests above, and revolutionise the role - then I reckon it would be Inglis.
