GREG Inglis’ hectic workload away from rugby league is taking a toll, with the South Sydney superstar showing preliminary interest in dumping the NRL and shifting overseas.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Inglis, 28, is becoming “mentally weary” after years of being pulled and pushed into promoting the NRL.

Inglis’s manager, Allan Gainey, has discussed whether the NRL should “compensate or recognise” the Souths star’s increasing workload. If not, the Queensland and Australian champion could walk away, aware European clubs would comfortably pay a rich transfer fee.

MADGE PUTS RABBITOHS BACK ON TRACK

DCE PRICE TAG PROOF REYNOLDS IS A BARGAIN BUY

media_camera Greg Inglis is known as one of the game’s most visible presences off the field.

“The NRL and the game use Greg a hell of a lot. He helps promote the game and is the cover page player,” Gainey told The Daily Telegraph. “He is used all the time and common sense should prevail.

“People don’t realise his demands and work overload. It affects his family. He gets mentally weary. I feel sure Greg might one day say he wants me to check out what’s out there. We haven’t sought any offer but overseas clubs are coming to me. There are possibilities.

“Greg could go overseas and get paid handsomely and not have all the stress. Other star players have left the game. The NRL should hope Greg doesn’t.

“Greg gets overwhelmed at the workload off the field. He isn’t leaving but Greg never says never. Two other champion players, Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston, are interstate. Greg has the pressure of living in Sydney.

“The NRL should make every endeavour to keep him in the game. I think he should get some compensation or recognition. (NRL CEO) Dave Smith has to work out whether he wants Greg to stay. If he does, we should have a talk.”

Inglis knows he could earn more money overseas and have less off-field stress and pressure. He is under contract at Souths until the end of 2017 and has just been made Rabbitohs skipper.

He will certainly play this year at Redfern but may explore his options again after this season.

“My heart is here, and I’m still contracted to Souths,’’ Inglis told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday. “What comes beyond 2017, who knows. That’s what it is at the moment. I’m here at Souths now, I just have to keep my options open for future years to come.’’

Gainey doesn’t necessarily want Smith to top-up Inglis’s contract — just to avoid his client burning out.

“Greg is very loyal to the club and game — he could have left a few years ago. He was 24 hours away from joining Essendon until (then NRL CEO) David Gallop stepped in at the last minute,” Gainey said.

media_camera Greg Inglis says he’s hungry for a new NRL season to begin.

“He loves rugby league is under contract. He would also be in line to be an Immortal. But I think the NRL should look to help Greg after football. He has a lot of offer and would be a great ambassador for the game, especially on the indigenous side. Greg is a deadset rugby league person and loves Souths. But you never say never.”

Inglis said he felt fresh despite looking battle-weary with stitches to the side of his right cheek after his involvement in the All Stars fixture.

“I’m tired after this flight, but I’ll be back at training and will be running around. I definitely still get excited about the start of a new season, and it’s only around the corner.’’.