GREG Inglis’ struggles with mental health have been well documented over the years.

It played a major role in his retirement from the game in 2019 and in the same year, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

He also struggled with depression and when all of that was combined with mounting injuries, his love for rugby league receded.

However, in opening up about his struggles and through coaching up-and-coming youngsters at former club South Sydney Rabbitohs, that spark was ignited again.

He also founded the Goanna Academy, which aims to help break the stigma surrounding mental health in the indigenous community he so proudly represents.

In moving to Warrington Wolves, he joins a club whose work in that particular area has stood out in recent years.

Among other projects, the club’s Foundation runs the Offload programme around mental health fitness for men in Warrington.

When he heard about the work the scheme does, Inglis is keen to get involved.

“I had a chat with Kylie Leuluai (head of rugby operations) and I believe Warrington do a lot in terms of mental health,” he said.

“It’s something I’d look to get into – with Covid you can’t really get together in a group but I really want to tap into.

“The biggest thing for me was being open and honest about how I feel rather than being a closed book.

“The more open I am, the more understanding people around me are going to be.

“I’m proud of the personal development within myself. I wanted to start a conversation about breaking down the stigma around mental health.”

A big test of the problems that initially helped end Inglis’ career is a move to the other side of the world – especially in the middle of a global pandemic.

He and partner Alyse Caccamo have moved from their homeland of Australia where Covid-19 has been suppressed to the point of near eradication to England, where rates are rising and the country is in the midst of its third national lockdown.

Conversations about whether or not they were doing the right thing were frequent – but they always ended the same way.

“I’d come home every day and we would ask each other if we were still happy to do this and without hesitation, we would both say yes every time,” Inglis said.

“It’s going to be a lifetime experience we will always remember.

“I enjoy my golf and my partner enjoys her horse riding, so it was a bit of a leap of faith we had to do.

“We’re trying to stick to as normal a routine as we can.

“I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve got friends that have moved over here and so has my partner, so it’s not too far out of normality. It’s not like we’re walking in as complete strangers.

“My partner knows I’ll go through days when I’m up and down but we’ll take our time and get through it together.”