South Sydney would be forced to absorb the remaining $1.5 million of Greg Inglis' contract into their salary cap if their superstar captain is no longer fit to play, writes the Sydney Morning Herald.
It is understood that coach Wayne Bennett took one look at Inglis on Monday and gave him the enforced spell as speculation about his career continues to be at the forefront of discussion.
Inglis' contract expires at the end of 2020, but is still enough time for him to return from injury as a giant force, according to Redfern officials and rival players.
The long list of injuries Inglis has acquired over his career would leave little chance of the NRL approving any request for a medically enforced retirement, unless there was a fresh injury, SMH writes.
By doing so, Inglis could have been fully compensated (around $1.5 million over the next 18 months) and excluded from the Souths' cap.
It's understood that if Inglis comes to the decision himself, the Souths' will need to include him in their books, potentially causing salary cap issues.
The NRL are mindful clubs have opportunities to abuse the cap by signing players long term (back-ended-deals) but not honoring them.
There is no suggestion the South's and Inglis are doing this, according to SMH, as Inglis declared his intention in making his final two years the best of his career.
Cronulla's Andrew Fifita, who has played alongside Inglis for Australia and the Indigenous All Stars said he'd benefit from a few months away.
"I think everyone should leave GI be for a bit," Fifita said.
"He has to concentrate on himself and his family.
"I really feel for GI, I know he's one of those people who will bounce back from this. He has a lot of positive people around him and he'll get through it.
Fifita reckons in a few months time, he can see Inglis dashing down the wing and scoring a try.
"They'll be talking about how GI has run 100m and doing the 'goanna' [celebration] down by the tryline."
"GI still has this year and next year. He will want to go out with a bang and his teammates will want to put in for him."
Definately no salary cap relief should be given!!! The NRL has set a precedent when they $crewed manly in the same fashion with brett stewart and steve mattai’s medical retirements.
Souths extended his contract knowing he was half busted. No salary cap relief – but hope he comes back strong.
RUBBISH, When GI signed this current deal he didn’t have Shoulder and an ACL Injury back in 2016 so this story is full of $hit
The shoulder injury was inflicted by a chicken wing tackle against the cheating Storm in last seasons Semi.
The ACL was in 2017
Brett Stewart and Steve Matai did re-sign deals with existing Injuries
Inglis did NOT
How did they come up with this $1.5M mythical figure?
GI is on $850k under the Cap.
He has been paid for Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar and April so that is 1/2 of this year.
$425k
If GI retires this season then next season’s contract becomes null and void.
Just more CRAP from journos with NO IDEA at all.