The thrilling race to the NRL finals looks set to be ambushed by the drama surrounding Melbourne superstar Greg Inglis after a Melbourne court on Wednesday adjourned his assault case for another two weeks.
Inglis' NRL future remains in limbo after a meeting of the Storm board confirmed he
would remain stood down indefinitely from all club duties.
The test centre was charged with assaulting girlfriend Sally Robinson at his Altona Meadows home on Sunday, and he appeared briefly in Sunshine Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Inglis' bail was extended on strict conditions that included staying 200 metres from Robinson. He is due to return to court on August 26, just days out from the penultimate round of the NRL.
Only a stunning development in the case would see Inglis return to action before that date, though the NRL on Wednesday rejected reports that it would be satisfied with a two-week ban.
With the case likely to drag on through the finals series, the NRL looks like it will face an uphill battle to promote the season climax. The game's other poster boy - Manly's Brett Stewart - is also due to reappear in court in September with the continuation of his sexual assault case, an incident which kick-started a year of woe for the code.
The endless line of off-field incidents have taken the gloss off what has been one of the most competitive season's on record, with eight sides from fifth through to 12 separated by just two competition points with four rounds remaining.
Inglis' girlfriend did not appear in court on Wednesday, with the court told Robinson was interstate.
Inglis maintained his silence as he left court, with Storm chief executive Brian Waldron releasing a statement late on Wednesday afternoon indicating the man described as one the game's most dynamic players would remain on the sidelines indefinitely.
"We believe this is the appropriate course of action and is in the best interest of all parties concerned," Waldron said.
"We reiterate our concern for the wellbeing of all involved. The club remains committed to providing counselling to all parties concerned."
There was no comment from the NRL, who on Tuesday backed the Storm's stance in standing Inglis down immediately.
- AAP
Greg Inglis has been suspended indefinitely by the Melbourne Storm. Photo / Getty Images
The thrilling race to the NRL finals looks set to be ambushed by the drama surrounding Melbourne superstar Greg Inglis after a Melbourne court on Wednesday adjourned his assault case for another two weeks.
Inglis' NRL future remains in limbo after a meeting of the Storm board confirmed he
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