South Sydney Rabbitohs skipper Greg Inglis will finally be able to play through his frustration over his club's poor season when he returns from suspension this weekend.
Inglis hasn't played since State of Origin III, having since been suspended for a shoulder charge on Dragons and New South Wales utility Josh Dugan.
Dugan broke his jaw in the incident and Inglis was consequently rubbed out of South Sydney's next three games: losses to the Broncos, Sea Eagles and Raiders.
It doesn't get any easier for South Sydney, who now head south to Melbourne to face the Storm just six days after being smashed by the Raiders by 50 points.
"It's been frustrating and unfortunately we're in the position we are. We have nobody else to blame but ourselves in terms of our performances," Inglis said.
"It's unfortunate that things on the field aren't going our way and there's no doubt our standards have dropped."
Inglis said the Rabbitohs could still take positives from their season, despite currently sitting at 13th on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
"Behind closed doors, there's always been plenty of laughs. We're a tight bunch of guys here including the coaching staff and the admin staff," Inglis said.
"Our leadership group is getting stronger and stronger every week and we're moving in the right direction. As a club we're moving forward.
"We have to make the most of whatever we have left this season. We just have to look forward to bettering ourselves each and every week."
In what has been an illustrious career, 2016 will be remembered as Inglis's poorest season in the NRL but that hasn't perturbed the 29-year-old from playing on until his mid-30s.
"Obviously if everything else goes well and my body holds up, I'd still love to be running around until my early to mid-30s," he said.
"You just can't take it for granted and you have to make sure you enjoy every single moment because you never know when it's going to be your last."
Inglis also called for the rugby league community to reserve judgement on the return of Jarryd Hayne to the game until after Hayne his Gold Coast Titans debut.
"Everybody should sit back and wait before they make their judgements. Jarryd's been out of the game for two years, he's played different sports so I think everyone should wait to have their say after he plays," Inglis said.
"I think it's great for the game. For a player of his calibre it's great to see him come back in and re-join the NRL.
"When he left the game it was a bit unfortunate but for him to come back is definitely exciting. I'm glad Jarryd has sorted his future out and moving forward I think it'll be great for the Titans."
