This is concrete proof that nothing counts until the ink is dry on the contract. A handshake, a promise, a friendship mean very little.
Inglis's blindside run beats Broncos
Stuart Honeysett From: The Australian
GREG Inglis is known for his evasive skills but the Brisbane Broncos never suspected he could fool an entire club.
Expected to announce himself as a South Sydney Rabbitoh as early as today, Inglis has managed to wrongfoot even his trusted manager Allan Gainey, who last Saturday sat patiently with Broncos officials waiting for a man who would never arrive.
Thus far a wrangle between his former club Melbourne and the Broncos and a six-figure legal bill have been used to explain Inglis's failure to sign for Brisbane.
In truth, Inglis was swept off his feet by the dazzling star power of South Sydney owner Russell Crowe and mentor Anthony Mundine. On Souths' coaching staff was former Broncos captain Gorden Tallis and in the background was Mundine's manager Khoder Nasser. The Broncos had no chance.
To all intents and purposes, the 23-year-old was already living the life of a Bronco.
Inglis had leased a plush new Brisbane pad and was already behind the wheel of a brand new Audi that was part of his sponsorship deal to join the Broncos. He was a regular at the club's Red Hill headquarters where he was already in consultation with the training staff about his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury.
One problem remained -- he still hadn't actually signed his Broncos contract.
Melbourne had only released him on compassionate grounds so he could follow fiancee Sally Robinson to Brisbane where she was starting a new job.
Despite having agreed to terms with the Broncos as far back as August, Inglis had been unable to put pen to paper following a dispute between the NRL, and the Rugby League Players Association and Players Agents Association. The Broncos weren't concerned. There was a heap of correspondence with both their club, the NRL and from Gainey confirming that Inglis's move to the Broncos was done.
The side issue of Inglis's legal fees -- racked up when a QC was hired to defend assault charges while with Melbourne in 2009 -- also proved to be an unwanted distraction. Inglis had a bill of $113,000 which the Storm wanted paid before it granted him a release. Inglis didn't believe he should foot the whole bill, given that he had had no say over who should be his legal counsel.
The NRL made things worse -- and as far as the Broncos were concerned made it drag on even further -- when it said any club that paid the bill would have to carry it in their cap the next year.
But here's the thing: while the legal bills were being portrayed as a major impediment, the truth is they were little more than nuisance value. An agreement was close to being hammered out which would see the Storm pay $60,000, Inglis $30,000 and the Broncos $23,000.
Once the NRL had sorted out its playing contract issues with the RLPA and the PAA, all that was left for Inglis to do was sign. That's when the alarm bells sounded.
Inglis was in Brisbane last Friday morning for a meeting with Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen and football manager Andrew Gee, but insisted he still had to talk things over with family in Sydney before putting pen to paper. The Broncos were a little puzzled about why he needed to go anywhere. Things only got worse from there.
A meeting was organised the following day between Broncos officials and Inglis at a secret location. Inglis didn't show. Not even Gainey knew where he was.
It emerged that Crowe and Mundine were in cahoots to lure Inglis to Redfern. The Broncos also suspect that their former captain Tallis -- now with Souths -- was also playing his part. Crowe is a man who usually gets what he wants. The Hollywood superstar can open up opportunities, and we're not just talking about being decked out in Armani suits.
West Australian mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest is willing to tip in $100,000 if Inglis signs up at Redfern.
Mundine has played an equally important role. Inglis regards him as a mentor and believes that together they can champion the cause for underprivileged indigenous Australians.
Nasser is believed to be close to the negotiations. He's the man who encouraged Sonny Bill Williams to flee Australia and play rugby union in France. Certainly Inglis is no stranger to both men. Having established a friendship with Mundine, Inglis revealed in 2008 he was considering dumping Gainey to join Nasser's stable.
Soon after stories were flying about that Inglis could leave the NRL and switch codes when his contract with the Storm expired at the end of 2010. In the end Inglis signed for two more years with Melbourne, Gainey was retained over Nasser, and the threat appeared to be warded off.
Until now.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/ingliss-blindside-run-beats-broncos/story-e6frg7mf-1225951378550