NRL rivalries were quickly forgotten ahead of Melbourne's Sunday clash with South Sydney after Greg Inglis' shock decision to seek treatment for depression, Storm coach Craig Bellamy has revealed.
Melbourne have Inglis' Rabbitohs in their sights as they look to bounce back from a last round boilover loss to Gold Coast Titans.
But Bellamy said that was an afterthought when he rang Rabbitohs mentor Michael Maguire after hearing his former Storm charge Inglis had entered rehab.
It has been revealed Inglis checked into a Sydney facility last week after battling issues since suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first round.
"I spoke to Michael Maguire from Souths (on Wednesday night)," Bellamy said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"He is a pretty special guy GI, but we know he is in good hands and the sort of guy he is he will recover from this.
"He is at a good club who are looking after him and he is with the right people."
Bellamy said Inglis - who enjoyed a stellar Storm stint from 2005-10 - was still considered one of Melbourne's favourite sons.
"We want to tell him everyone at the Storm is really thinking of him, have always loved him and still love him now," he said.
Bellamy said he had texted Inglis but was not expecting a reply any time soon.
"When he's ready I will have a chat to him," he said.
"With GI it's a really serious injury in this time of his life and career.
"Different people handle it (long term injuries) differently.
"It's a tough time but everyone is aware of that and will try to rally around him."
Inglis' former Australian and Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer joined the rugby league fraternity in throwing their support behind the NRL star.
Lockyer admitted he was surprised to learn of Inglis' plight after catching up with the Rabbitohs strike weapon while he was helping out at the recent Kangaroos' trans-Tasman Test camp in Canberra.
"He seemed to be in good spirits but sometimes we don't know what is going on behind closed doors," Lockyer told Fox Sports TV.
"I guess the focus is for Greg to get himself right.
"But things will turn, things will come good.
"I was one of the well wishers to send him texts when I heard the news.
"When he comes out in the next couple of weeks we will all welcome him back with open arms."
Inglis is expected to spend the next two weeks in the Sydney facility.
