Legacy of Immortal-in-waiting

BILLY Slater has deserved the chance to go out his way.

Better still, the Melbourne Storm legend earned the privilege through hard work, grit and determination.

Not to say other sporting icons shouldn’t or haven’t, but Slater, 35, could so easily had called it quits two years ago, when parked on the Tullama- rine Freeway in tears at the news he would need a second shoulder reconstruction.

If not then, Slater could have thrown in the towel laying in hospital post-op with a mountain of rehab just to get his body back in shape to play with his children, Jake and Tyla, let alone worry about any Storm commitments.

It took a toll mentally and physically, staring down the inevitable – retirement – brought on well before its time.

But the son of a hard-asnails league man from Innisfail, who worked in cane fields to support the family, simply refused to give up.

Slowly but surely he would rebuild the troublesome joint, with the help of world class medical and high performance experts.

His wife Nicole rode shotgun throughout, including the sleepless nights spent on the bedroom floor so that the Immortal-in-waiting could rehab his twice surgically-repaired shoulder.

Slater’s ability to absorb setbacks only made him stronger.

His legacy stands up to any measure, having won four grand finals in a decorated career spanning 16 seasons and more than 300 games.

But what Slater has done for the code itself is arguably his greatest legacy. MELBOURNE legend Billy Slater is leaving rugby league on his own terms – as the game’s best fullback.

Sitting alongside coach Craig Bellamy, an emotional Slater ended months of speculation yesterday when he confirmed that after 16 NRL seasons with the Storm, 2018 would be his last.

He bows out with a bulging trophy cabinet that includes two NRL premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals, a Dally M Medal and two Wally Lewis Medals – the latest from this year’s State of Origin series.

The 35-year-old said while he felt he physically could have played on he was certain he was making the right decision.

After missing half of the 2015 season and all of 2016 due to two shoulder reconstructions, Slater worked his way back to the top of the game. He said being able to make the final call had been important.

“Two years ago I nearly had to finish due to a shoulder injury and that would have really sunk me,” Slater said.

“I wasn’t ready to finish then and now my body is still allowing me to play at this standard ... but I would hate to get halfway through a year and lose that and want to put my body on the line 100 per cent.

“I don’t want to empty the tank and then call it a day – I’d rather have a little bit in reserve.”

Bellamy said Slater should be remembered as the game’s best ever fullback.

“I’ve seen a lot of real good ones and played with some as well but I rate Billy right at the top with a gap between first and second,” Bellamy said.

“He’s been that influential as a fullback he’s changed the way they’ve played and the big thing for me is how consistent he’s been over such a long period of time and to me that’s greatness.”

Bellamy said he would have liked Slater to go on.

“I wanted to keep watching him play and to keep coaching him but that’s a selfish attitude,” Bellamy said.

“He’s made the right decision.”

Slater choked back tears as he thanked Bellamy and credited long-time teammates Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, now with the Sydney Roosters, for pushing him to realise his potential.

“Not only have you guys created opportunities for me on the field, but when your peers drive themselves to be the best and they continually succeed – that’s infectious,” Slater said.

Slater is planning to stay involved with the Storm as a part-time coach, more media work and to spend more time in his burgeoning thoroughbred breeding business.

I DON’T WANT TO EMPTY THE TANK AND THEN CALL IT A DAY – I’D RATHER HAVE A LITTLE BIT IN RESERVE.