MELBOURNE Storm's Greg Inglis has not struggled with too much in a relatively short, but brilliant career.

But the 20-year-old found it difficult to come to terms with his move this year from the centre to five-eighth. Considered a natural half-back or centre, Inglis was criticised for lack of involvement in his new position, where he was expected to be a supplier of the ball as much as a receiver.

The criticism was internal, as well as external. Storm captain Cameron Smith revealed in the grand final lead-up that the club's on-field leaders had called Inglis in for a mid-season rev-up.

"We thought his attitude was a bit wrong earlier in the year, so we sat him down and told him what we needed out of him," Smith said. "A lot of people were questioning his move to five-eighth and I don't know if Greg listened to that too much, but he probably didn't realise how important he was to our team."

At one point, Storm coach Craig Bellamy even asked Inglis whether he was happy with the change, offering him the chance to return to the centres, where the freedom would be greater and the responsibilities diminished.

"It was just another challenge for me to get over," Inglis said last week.

Meet the challenge Inglis did and on Sunday was rewarded with a premiership medallion and the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground.

■Every Tuesday, The Age sports team will select an outstanding sporting performance of the week. The winner could be any Australian team or individual competing in a major sport. Readers will select the performers of the year by voting online in November. Until then, post your feedback or suggested selections on http://blogs.theage.com.au/sport/

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