But today the 19-year-old star revealed just what he has been up to since the South Dragons were bundled out of the Championship race on February 15.

In the second instalment of his exclusive online diary, Ingles reveals the heartache at losing the first elimination final and his pride at being a part of the South Dragons’ debut year.

“I remember sitting in the changerooms after the game and looking at everyone and how disappointed we were with ourselves, because we really believed we could win,” Ingles writes.

“But over all I think to look back at where we came from at the start of the year to how we turned our season around was a credit to everyone involved in the club.”

Since the end of the Dragons’ first season, Ingles has enjoyed time with friends and family at his Adelaide home and the Australian Institute of Sport.

“To go home and catch up with friends and family was great,” he writes.

“I hadn’t been home for a good break for some time and I really enjoyed the chance to relax and not have to do anything – I even considered retiring!”

Ingles has now returned to South Dragons headquarters to prepare for his first national camp in June; the holiday is well and truly over.

“Since I’ve been back we have been training every day and doing weights three times a week with our new trainer, Val,” he writes.

“We’re into our fourth or fifth week now and we’re looking good.”

Keep up to date with Ingles’ progress every Tuesday in The Inside Word, here at www.southdragons.com.

Read Joe Ingles’ full diary entry HERE.