Storm cloud over Slater
Shoulder charge may see fullback miss grand final as Melbourne rolls on
BILLY Slater’s brilliant career could end prematurely with the Melbourne fullback facing an anxious wait to see if he will be rubbed out of the grand final because of a shoulder charge.
Slater scored two tries, laid on another and ran for a game high 179 metres in the Storm’s 22- 6 demolition of the Sharks. But his final match in Melbourne in front of 26,621 people was marred by a first- half try- saving tackle.
In trademark Slater fashion, he raced across the field and collected Sosaia Feki with his shoulder before being penal- ised. Despite not being placed on report, the tackle will come under the scrutiny of the match review committee with the findings expected this afternoon.
Any shoulder charge has a base penalty of 200 points, which would mean Slater needs to be cleared at the judiciary if he is to play again in what would be the cruellest of blows to one of the game’s best players.
Slater’s Storm skipper Cameron Smith missed the 2008 decider because of suspension joining the likes of Issac Luke and Luke Ricketson to be banned from recent grand finals while Justin Hodges was cleared at the judiciary in the lead- up to the 2015 premiership match.
While the post- game fallout focuses on Slater’s uncertainty, the Storm were ruthless as they booked themselves a third consecutive grand final replicating their efforts of 2007- 09.
Only the Cooper Cronk led Sydney Roosters or a South Sydney side they beat by just one point two weeks ago stand in the way of Melbourne becoming the first side since 1992- 93 to defend a premiership title.
Melbourne rushed to a 20- 0 halftime lead and were at their bullying best as they suffocated the life out of a Cronulla side that struggled to gain any fluency with the ball.
The Sharks were on the back foot for the bulk of the game as they battled minus cocaptains Paul Gallen and Wade Graham while the retiring Luke Lewis – who had a running battle with referee Gerard Sutton regarding Melbourne’s ruck control – was severely hampered with a leg injury.
The Sharks also lost Feki midway through the first half with a collar bone injury.
Slater’s opening try came after having too much pace for Matt Moylan while he threw the final pass for Brodie Croft’s try. The Sharks could have argued Joe Stimson should have been sin- binned late in the opening half after interfering in a try- scoring opportunity.
The Storm added just a penalty goal in the second half with Lewis scoring late for the Sharks.