Inglis Storm NRL to 2012

NRL and Melbourne Storm star Greg Inglis has today committed his future to the club that discovered him by signing a four-year contract that will see him remain in Melbourne until the end of the 2012 season.   While Inglis was already contracted to the Storm until the end of the 2010 season, this four-year deal will take over from his current contract.   Inglis, who won the representative and five-eighth player-of-the-year awards at last night’s Dally M ceremony, is delighted to have signed a new contract with the Storm.   “My first preference was always to stay in rugby league, and especially with the Melbourne Storm,” said Inglis.   “I’m just glad the deal has been done now so the speculation about my future can end and I can concentrate on helping the Storm win another premiership.”   Inglis joins a host of players, including Cooper Cronk, Dallas Johnson, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Anthony Quinn and Jeff Lima, who have re-signed with the Storm this season for the foreseeable future.   “Having re-signed so many quality players to long term deals certainly helped with my decision as I can see us having success at the Storm for a few years to come yet,” said Inglis.   “And having Craig (Bellamy) commit to us for the next five years also played a huge part. He’s been instrumental in my development from knowing very little about the game to where I am today. To have the opportunity to play under him for the next four years is very exciting.”   While Inglis is happy to be working under head coach Craig Bellamy for the next four years, Bellamy is equally as happy with Inglis’ decision to stay in Melbourne.   “This is great news, not only for Melbourne Storm but also the game of rugby league,” said Bellamy.   “He’s the kind of player that people pay their money to come through the gates and watch, and for him to commit to the Storm for the next four years is a huge boost for us and the game.   “I’m delighted he’ll be in my team for the next four years, because it would be a nightmare to have to coach against him.”   Storm CEO Brian Waldron sees the signing of Inglis to Melbourne as a real boost to the promotion of the game in Victoria.   “With a new stadium on the way it’s vital we keep the best players we have here in Melbourne for as long as we can,” said Waldron.   “We’ve re-signed our core group of players to long-term contracts this year and signing Greg up for the next four years is very exciting for us.   “While he’s obviously a high profile rugby league player in the northern states, he’s also a high profile athlete here in Melbourne and is vital to us promoting the game in this market.   “This is a real statement on Greg’s behalf that he’s committed to rugby league, and more importantly for us, the Melbourne Storm.”

____________________________________________________       Chris Couch   Media Manager    Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club