EYE ON FUTURE
Clive Churchill medallist open to playing beyond 2018
VETERAN Melbourne fullback Billy Slater is a definite starter for next week’s World Club Challenge and isn’t ruling out extending his NRL career beyond this season.
The 34-year-old Innisfail Leprechauns junior says he will play in Friday night’s AAMI Park match against Super League champions Leeds Rhinos despite only recently returning to training. Slater had a delayed start to the pre-season because of the Rugby League World Cup but says he’s kept himself in good shape.
“I’ll be playing unless something happens in the next couple of weeks. I’ll be out there definitely,” Slater said on Monday.
“I know myself that I will have enough work in me to play a game. I won’t be 100 per cent fit but hopefully I will be pretty close.” Slater believed Storm captain Cameron Smith would also be available despite only completing his first training session last week.
Melbourne have a trial match tomorrow against Newcastle behind closed doors and will use that and the WCC to decide between Brodie Croft and Ryley Jacks as their starting halfback following Cooper Cronk’s departure to the Sydney Roosters.
Slater, who will sit out the Knights trial, joked that Melbourne recruit Sam Kasiano could fit into the No.7 jersey given the prop’s stunning weight loss since joining the club from the Bulldogs.
“I’ve never seen Sam look this good and you know what kind of player he is so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him,” Slater said.
The Kangaroos custodian said his body was feeling good before his 300th NRL game, which will be in round one against the Bulldogs.
He said he hadn’t made a decision about his playing future but wouldn’t leave it until season’s end like last year.
“Naturally you do have thoughts but I haven’t made a decision on what I do past this year,” Slater said.
“I’ll make that decision down the track but I don’t think I’ll leave it until the end of the year.”