CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
A local Betoota grandmother and staunch Maroons fan, Lorraine Barkley (82) has hit the phones today after hearing some heartbreaking news on the wireless.
While tuning into the midday news update on her favourite easy-listening AM radio station today, Nan was made aware of the news that South Sydney, Queensland, and Kangaroos champion Greg Inglis has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league.
“What’s happenning with Greg, darling?” she asks her granddaughter, Kelly, who is up with the news.
“What’s happened? Is he hurt? Is he going to play the rest of the season?”
“I thought they were going to get another couple of years out of him”
As someone who has effectively watched Inglis grow up in front of her, Mrs Barkley knows a generational rugby league superstar when she sees one – which is why she’s so concerned.
Inglis has fronted media alongside Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, general manager of football Shane Richardson, and club CEO Blake Solly to announce that at 32, he’s actually done pretty well to play close to a year’s worth of full contact rugby league throughout his whole career.
However, while the news may come as a relief to the family and friends of Greg Inglis who is now at the stage in his career where its wise to avoid longterm injury if possible – Lorraine represents thousands of heartbroken grannies around Queensland that are worried about the future of Queensland.
After failing to get answers from Kelly, she quickly moves to a conversation with her oldest son, Tim.
“Is it his shoulder? or his knee? What’s he done.”
“Are things okay between him and Wayne?”
“Who’s gonna replace him?”
