Maroons coach Mal Meninga, on target to add an unprecedented fourth straight Origin series win to his amazing rugby league record in Sydney next week, knows 22-year-old Inglis will be remembered as one of the game's greats when he finishes.

And Meninga should know. The Queensland legend was named at centre in Australia's team of the century last year, along with fellow Maroons great Wally Lewis.

Bewildered Blues fans cry in their beer every time the Bowraville-born Inglis, who had the choice of states, pulls on a Maroon jumper and beats up on NSW.

His incredible athleticism makes him a special player, able to do the unexpected and even the unthinkable at times. His amazing aerial try for Melbourne in an NRL game against South Sydney in 2007 was an early taste of his brilliance.

But he bettered that easily on the big stage last year with his incredibly freakish over-the-head effort in goal for Mark Gasnier's try in the Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG.

An Origin legend who lined up 32 times for Queensland including the first Origin match in 1980 when he booted seven goals on his 20th birthday Meninga took Inglis aside in Melbourne earlier last month when his form and fitness were under scrutiny.

The Melbourne star was struggling with his consistency, along with his Storm captain Cameron Smith, who was shuffling between positions.

''Mal told me he wanted me to get my hands on the ball more and get more involved,'' Inglis said. ''I took what Mal was saying on board and took some ownership myself.

''There were no phone calls or anything like that. I just walked into camp the first day and Mal had a quiet whisper in my ear.''

Meninga said Inglis had matured a lot with his attitude.

''His preparation has been enormous and I think it has been proven that when he prepares well he plays well,'' Meninga said this week.

''He is still relaxed, which is good. It's just that when he prepares, he does so a lot better these days.''

Inglis is such a laid-back customer, not unlike another former gifted Maroon centre Dale Shearer, it can sometimes look like he's cruising on the field.

''I work pretty hard out there like anyone else but I think it's the way I am, the way I approach the game,'' Inglis said. ''I may look lazy but I tell you what, it's tough out there.'' AAP