Storm warning: Slater is set to wreak havoc
BILLY Slater has been tipped to explode in Sunday’s grand final against the Roosters and finish his NRL career with a second Clive Churchill Medal.
Slater has the opportunity to finish his glittering 16-season career with a fifth NRL grand final win after avoiding being suspended for a shoulder charge.
Slater’s judiciary victory on Tuesday night saw the Storm firm in favouritism for the premiership decider against the Roosters and he is also tipped to be crowned man of the match.
Betting agency Ladbrokes crunched Slater from $7 into $5 favouritism for the Clive Churchill Medal, the gong he won in Melbourne’s salary cap-stained 2009 defeat of Parramatta.
Former Kangaroos fullback Gary Belcher said Slater’s 319th and final NRL appearance could be one of his best given the Storm No.1’s recent form.
“There is no doubt at all he can be the best player on the park again,” he said.
“He’s been playing wonderful footy.
“His availability makes Melbourne favourites if they weren’t already. It swings it in their favour.”
Despite producing a sensational season, Slater will hang up his boots after Sunday night’s premiership finale at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Slater sits second on the alltime greatest try scorers list behind Ken Irvine (212 tries) with 190 four-pointers next to his name.
The 35-year-old Queensland legend has resurrected his career over the past two years after playing just eight games across the 2015-16 seasons because of shoulder injuries.
Immortal Wally Lewis believes that determination has primed Slater to dominate on the biggest stage in his final game.
“It will be just like every other game he plays,” Lewis said. “He is a perfectionist.
“He doesn’t leave anything to chance. Everything is about preparation he has done hundreds of times before.”