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- From: The Daily Telegraph
- December 11, 2010 12:00AM
Underhanded ... Mal Meninga has slammed Greg Inglis for walking out on his Broncos deal. Source: The Daily Telegraph
Queensland State of Origin team announcement at Royal on the Park Hotel, Brisbane. Coach and selector Mal Meninga. Source: The Daily Telegraph r
MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has criticised Greg Inglis for the "underhanded dealing" that saw the Queensland Origin star controversially renege on his $1 million deal at the Broncos to join South Sydney.
As the NRL continues to probe the validity of Inglis's Rabbitohs deal, Meninga expressed his disappointment in the contractual circus and the manner in which the former Storm centre has handled the "messy" affair.
Meninga has played a key mentoring role with Inglis, who has played in five consecutive Origin series victories under the former Test captain.
But Meninga said Inglis's actions in his shock 11th-hour walkout on the Broncos was evidence the days of loyal handshake deals were over.
"The whole thing got a bit messy, and I think there was a bit of underhanded dealing going on," Meninga wrote in his column in the Queenslander magazine, the official publication of the FOGS (Former Origin Greats).
"I am not a fan of that. I am a fan of being honest.
"Greg has had a tumultuous year. Obviously he has had that court case, the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, the Andrew Johns incident during Origin and now this contract stuff all hanging over his head.
"He has had a fair bit going on in his life.
"But I am a big believer in doing what is right - doing the right thing, and being honest regardless of the advice you get.
"Once you filter through all the bulldust, you have to make a decision based on what your value system is, and do what you think is right.
"I don't think anyone would have a problem with the idea of a player trying to do the best for himself and his future.
"But I do have to say, the whole affair was another reminder of how the game has evolved into a business, and how the old-school ways of doing things - like handshake deals and using your word as your bond - are the ways of a bygone era.
"Greg's situation, caught as the prize in a three-way battle between the Storm, Broncos and Rabbitohs, got to the stage where no one - including Greg - really knew what was going on."
Meninga revealed he spoke to Inglis in the days after he signed with the Rabbitohs and hopes the 23-year-old has made the right decision.
"At the end of the day, if he is happy he has done the right thing, then he will be clear to get on with things and live his life the way he wants to," he said.
"I guess it is just unfortunate the way it all panned out.
"I am an old fuddy-duddy in a way where I believe that your handshake is your bond, and that's the deal.
"But that is not the way modern society works, unfortunately.
"The game can be kind to you if you are a survivor, but you really do have to make hay while the sun is shining.
"In Greg's case, I wasn't a big fan of how it all went.
"But in the end, the player has to look after himself.
"And if Greg is happy, then I am happy for him."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...greg-inglis-saga/story-e6frexnr-1225969217455
