Greg Inglis
An Indigenous Australian rugby league titan whose breathtaking athleticism and try-scoring prowess made him a generational force.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Australian international rugby league footballer·Birthday: January 15·Millennials
Biography
Greg Inglis didn't just play rugby league; he imposed himself on it. From his early days, his combination of size, speed, and an almost uncanny ability to fend off defenders marked him as something special. Bursting onto the NRL scene with the Melbourne Storm, he was a central figure in their dominance, though later stripped due to salary cap breaches. His move to the South Sydney Rabbitohs saw him become a legend, culminating in captaining the club to a long-awaited premiership in 2014—a victory that resonated deeply given the team's Indigenous heritage and his own proud identity. In the maroon jersey of Queensland, he was a key weapon in their unprecedented State of Origin dynasty, and for Australia, his 'goanna' try-scoring celebration became an iconic image. Inglis's career was a display of pure, physical genius, but his lasting impact is also as a role model, inspiring a generation of young Indigenous athletes with his success and leadership.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Greg was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Greg Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Greg's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an NRL premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014, captaining the team to victory.
- Was a central figure in the Queensland Maroons' eight consecutive State of Origin series wins from 2006 to 2013.
- Represented Australia in multiple Rugby League World Cups, winning the tournament in 2013.
- Awarded the Golden Boot Award in 2009 as the world's best rugby league player.
Did You Know?
His famous try-scoring celebration, the 'goanna crawl', was inspired by an Australian lizard.
He initially played for the Melbourne Storm, winning the 2007 NRL grand final with them (later vacated).
He is of Indigenous Australian descent, with heritage from the Gunggari and Wakka Wakka nations.
After retiring from playing, he took on a role as a leadership and wellbeing coach for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“You run at the line, you don't run away from it.”
