Bellamy proposes Inglis switch to fullback
Steve Jancetic AAPSun, Mar 13, 2011 - 7:01 PM
The man who helped turn Greg Inglis into the best centre in the world believes South Sydney would benefit from handing him the red and green No.1 jumper.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, who introduced Inglis to the NRL as a fullback/winger before shifting him to the centres to accommodate Billy Slater at the back, claimed the Test and Queensland State of Origin star's best position remained fullback.
Inglis had a quiet debut for the Rabbitohs in Friday night's loss to local rivals Sydney Roosters, with his only meaningful contribution a second-half try after reeling in a Chris Sandow bomb.
For the most part, the Bunnies' prized off-season recruit was a frustrated bystander, a problem Bellamy believes could be alleviated by moving him back to fullback.
"I think Greg's best position is fullback ... the only reason he didn't play a whole heap of fullback here was because of Billy," Bellamy told ABC Radio.
"Whenever Billy was out and Greg was playing, Greg always went back to fullback because I honestly believe fullback's his best position.
"If they put Greg back to fullback, I think it's a good thing for the Rabbitohs in that Greg would be able to get into the game when he wants to and get the ball in situations that he wants because just being parked out in that left centre position sometimes he drifts out of the game a little bit.
"He's just such a great ball-runner with his pace and his anticipation and his knowledge of the game but also his size as well - he's a hard guy to handle."
Complicating matters, however, would be South Sydney coach John Lang's unwillingness to make such a dramatic change just one game into the season.
It would also force one of Lang's most reliable disciples - veteran fullback Rhys Wesser - out of the side, with Nathan Merritt and Fetuli Talanoa both having cemented spots on the wing.
There would also be concerns over Inglis' ability to handle the extra work he would have to do at fullback, with the loss to the Roosters his first match since September last year due to off-season shoulder surgery.
"I'm not quite sure with Rhys there, John's plans with him. But if he decides to put Greg at fullback, I'm sure he'll do a real good job for them," Bellamy said.
The Rabbitohs are expected to learn the extent of Sam Burgess' shoulder injury early this week, while veteran back-rower Michael Crocker is expected to be available for his first match of the season after overcoming a knee injury.
