Greg Inglis' immediate NRL future could hinge on his appearance in a Melbourne courtroom today with Storm chief executive Brian Waldron saying a call on his contract with the club would not be a "footballing decision."
Inglis is due to appear in Sunshine Magistrates Court today charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault over the incident on Sunday which allegedly left girlfriend Sally Robinson with a black eye.
Waldron would not disclose any details about the alleged incident, with the Nine Network reporting that an argument between the pair began when Inglis found text messages on Robinson's mobile phone.
The freakishly talented test centre was suspended indefinitely by the Storm, with the club and the NRL vowing to review their stance following today's court appearance.
Inglis is contracted to the Storm through to the end of the 2012 season, but Waldron said the 22-year-old's unique footballing ability would not impact the decision to tear up his contract.
"People need to understand the decision we take on this type of issue is not a football decision," Waldron said.
"It's a club decision that will consider all stakeholders.
"We are very strong on our stance to safety to women. No matter what we do in relation to this matter, we are not going to please everyone.
"What that means for Greg, we are not too sure." NRL boss David Gallop said speculation on any ban being imposed by the governing body was premature.
But there are grave doubts over Inglis' participation over the remainder of the NRL season.
"The matter is back in court tomorrow and it's difficult to preempt what the next step is but certainly, in our view, this would go beyond a one week suspension," Gallop said.
"But at the moment that's indefinite and we're comfortable with that." "From time to time we are going to have young men make mistakes.
"This is certainly a big one but it's important that it gets dealt with appropriately, that's what we'll be measured on." Whatever the Storm's decision on Inglis, Waldron was adamant the 2007 Clive Churchill Medallist had a future in the game.
"What he will do when he comes back on the field whenever that is, is be a wonderful athlete," Waldron said.
"That shouldn't be lost in this. He'll deal with the other issues that fall his way but he won't lose his playing ability."
Waldron suggested Inglis would not enter a plea in court today.
If convicted, Inglis faces a maximum five years' jail on each charge.
Gallop said the fact Inglis was one of the faces of the NRL's advertising campaign - the other being Manly fullback Brett Stewart whose sexual assault charge is still before the courts - made the incident more disappointing.
"Obviously, but it's disappointing if it's any player," Gallop said.
"But to have the players that we chose to be in our campaign in the headlines for the wrong reasons, it's disappointing for everyone in the game, not just those at the NRL." Waldron said both Inglis and his girlfriend began counselling yesterday.
"Sally is in good spirits, she is doing as well as possible for what is obviously a very testing time for her," Waldron said.
"He's doing it tough. He is aware of the severity of the situation as he should be and we have made him aware of our concerns over the situation."
The Storm sit third on the ladder a month before the finals but the arrest of their test and Origin star threatens to derail their premiership campaign.
