Looking like a new man since his return to the NRL Telstra Premiership following Queensland's victorious State of Origin series, South Sydney captain Greg Inglis's form of late is a "double lucky charm" according to young centre Dylan Walker.
After both players scored hat-tricks in Souths' 52-6 win over the cellar-dwelling Knights on Saturday night, Walker said his 28-year-old captain's form – starring at fullback in the myrtle and cardinal for the past fortnight – has inspired everyone at the club.
Scoring three tries, breaking five tackles, producing a try assist and two line break assists, Inglis is finally starting to hit his straps for South Sydney after an indifferent few months in the Telstra Premiership.
"Greg's always a leader at this club. He's a leader in the whole NRL, from my point of view," Walker said.
"For him being our captain and our fullback, it's a double lucky charm especially with him being able to bring back the ball after a good defensive set.
"That's all you can ask for. Someone like him, the calibre and player he is, he's going to bring back the ball strong. Everyone knows what Greggy can do.
"To see him back and watching him do his things, all you can do is smile. Having someone like him in the team, it really gives all us other boys confidence."
After Inglis replaced injured Storm fullback Billy Slater in the custodian role for the Maroons in Origin III, Walker believes it was the impetus behind his captain's rich vein of form.
"I thought Origin sparked his form," Walker said.
"Greg went to Origin and he played really well for his state. Even though I'm a New South Wales man, he's come back and really shown how good he is at club level. He's working really hard and he's a very inspiring leader."
Despite Inglis's form and the Rabbitohs consolidating a top four spot after their 46-point drubbing of the Knights, Walker said it was still important to win the games they are expected to win on the road to the finals.
With games against the Panthers and the Sea Eagles up next for South Sydney wins are imperative, especially with games against fellow top four teams the Broncos, Cowboys and Roosters, as well as fellow finals contenders the Bulldogs, rounding out the Rabbitohs regular season.
"You want to play good and play at your best every week," Walker said.
"We showed we're really striving towards that [against Newcastle] by getting our combos working. That's all we can do, practice at training and show it out on the field."