NO ONE could deprive South Sydney’s superstar fullback Greg Inglis from earning $1 million a year. He deserves every penny of it.

Over next 12 months the Rabbitohs, Maroons and Kangaroos champion could play in as many as 38 games in three different countries in the toughest body contact sport on the planet.

That’s five Test matches, (four of them in 21 days) three Origins, finals football, the All-stars, Charity Shield, the world club challenge in England and 24 club games.

DEBATE: IS THERE TOO MUCH RUGBY LEAGUE?

media_camera Greg Inglis could play up to 38 games in the next 12 months as part of a punishing schedule.

No wonder his player agent Allan Gainey says the big man is struggling.

“It’s not so much the physical aspect — the thing is he’s mentally stuffed,” Gainey said, “I was with him on Friday and he was struggling.

“They just need a good break. At the end of the season you need a few weeks without thinking about anything.

“You need a spell from the day-to-day demands of being a high profile footballer.”

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and his high performance staff are constantly monitoring Inglis’ workload and the wear and tear on his body.

“I think Madge manages it very well,” Gainey said, “If he gets a bit of a niggle, he doesn’t have to do the hard grind at training.

“He’s an athletic bloke and doesn’t get fat or unfit. His body is in good shape because he takes care of himself these days and it’s a matter of a bit of maintenance.”

Inglis spent Monday driving from Sydney to Brisbane — with his two dogs in the back — where his wife and new baby will be based during the Four Nations. He will have December off and not return to South Sydney training until January 12.

media_camera An exhausted Greg Inglis tries to soak up South Sydney’s premiership triumph.

All NRL contracted players are entitled to six weeks annual leave but the burnout issue is one the code continues to ignore.

Inglis also played in the World Cup in the UK at the end of last season.

Instead of reducing the schedule, the NRL has increased it by adding two more clubs to the World challenge.

In February, the Roosters and Dragons will join premiers South Sydney in the UK, and spending 48 hours in transit to get there and back just adds to the demands.

Nothing has changed with the State of Origin scheduling for 2015 and the upcoming Four Nations tournament that will feature four Test matches is 21 days.

Yet the Players Association does little about it.

KANGAROOS SUFFER FOR NRL’S SUCCESS

media_camera Some players had little rest before travelling to Papua New Guinea for the Prime Minister's XIII.

“The issue of scheduling is a vexed one because it involves a number of different, and not always complementary, interests, “ said RLPA secretary David Garnsey.

“The players love to represent their state or country and also recognise the importance of fostering rep football but they also need and reasonably expect to have adequate rest during what has become an increasingly cluttered calendar.

“We have regular discussions with the NRL about scheduling, whether it is in respect of the NRL competition, State of Origin or the pre and post season.

“There are seemingly inescapable obligations under the current broadcast rights agreement but player welfare is always our priority.

“We cannot dictate when and where players can play but we can insist that player workloads are properly managed.”