NRL: Inglis hopeful of staying with Storm

Melbourne star Greg Inglis has received interest from rugby, AFL and American football. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - Forget AFL and even rugby union - potential code-hopper Greg Inglis joked that cricket could be his next sporting stop after admitting he was no closer to deciding his future amid the NRL salary cap scandal.

Inglis had been tipped to become the next NRL star to defect to the AFL after being strongly linked with Essendon.

Then again, Inglis' manager Allan Gainey has also received feelers from rugby, NRL and English Super League clubs and even American football.

As he prepared to help Queensland seal a record fifth-straight Origin series, Inglis said he would "keep an open mind" about his future - but would only map it out after the Melbourne Storm cap investigation.

"AFL is not my first choice if I have to leave the game," Inglis told AAP.

"I can still stay in league. I can go to England, and union is there - cricket if I have to.

"You never know what is going to happen. No one will know until the cap investigation is over."

Inglis claimed his preference was to remain with the Storm, saying he would "do anything" to stay with the disgraced NRL premiers even if it meant taking a huge pay cut.

But Inglis admitted he feared being forced out of the Storm in order to solve the club's cap issues.

"I don't want to go anywhere. But I won't deny it, other codes have been talking to my manager," Inglis said.

"But I don't want to hear about it at this point in time because my major concern is staying with the Storm and seeing my contract out - I am contracted for another two years.

"I would do anything to stay with Melbourne, even take a pay cut.

"I am crossing my fingers that it doesn't go pear-shaped and I am asked to leave the Storm.

"It is a fear (leaving the Storm) but until that day my heart is with the Storm and that is where my priorities lie."

If forced to leave the Storm, Inglis said he could not bare the thought of running out against Melbourne, giving English Super League clubs some hope that he could be UK-bound.

"I don't see myself wearing another NRL jersey," Inglis said.

"I don't want to leave the game but in saying that there is different interest from different codes - I am always open minded and will keep my ears open."

Inglis arrived in a Queensland camp welcoming the NRL's latest defector - AFL-bound Israel Folau - ahead of next week's Origin II clash in Brisbane.

"It (Folau's decision) doesn't plant the seed (to switch to AFL)," Inglis said.

"In the end it (Folau's Origin return) came down to the senior players and what they thought was best for the team - it's great to have him back."

Even NRL boss David Gallop has expressed his frustration over the length of time it has taken to work through the Storm salary cap situation.

Until it is, speculation around Inglis will continue to swirl despite Gainey recently hosing down interest in the Bombers and the NFL.

"Options are always there - I am also open to people coming to see me," Inglis said.

"But there have been no deals or contracts mentioned - yet."

- AAP