Would Billy Slater look good as a Carlton Blue?
Roar Guru By Steve Kaless, 29 Apr 2010 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
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- AFL, Billy Slater, Carlton Blues, Craig Bellamy, David Parkin, Melbourne Storm, NRL, Rugby League
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Through an odd twist of fate, I found myself chatting with former Carlton coach David Parkin on Saturday night and appropriately the conversation turned to the Storm and the fall-out from the saga. Parkin believed that Storm coach Craig Bellamy would have been unaware of the tactics being used to secure the talent.
He cited his own experience, where he was only once ever told what a player was being paid (and he then told the board he thought the player was being vastly overpaid).
The former flag winning coach did believe that if Carlton (or any AFL club) were to look to benefit from the upheaval of the Storm’s playing roster, then Billy Slater would be the man to target.
Having seen the Storm players up close, as they share the same training facilities, Parkin heaped praise on Slater for his athletic ability and the way he performed in the Storm’s mock AFL match against Carlton.
“He can run, jump, kick off both feet, he is certainly an elite athlete,” Parkin said.
The question would be whether a Melbourne based club would want to spend serious money enticing a code switch when they need less of the publicity than an AFL team in New South Wales or Queensland?
You also wonder how much loyalty any of the Storm players feel towards the NRL after being told by the game’s governing body that they’ll be playing this season for nothing.
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- AFL, Billy Slater, Carlton Blues, Craig Bellamy, David Parkin, Melbourne Storm, NRL, Rugby League
April 29th 2010 @ 7:26pm
Mrs T said | April 29th 2010 @ 7:26pm | Report comment
Anyone who is or has had an association with the Slater/Simonsen rugby league heritage would be fully aware that for Billy to leave the Melbourne Storm it would firstly be for another NRL club (albiet Gallop doesn’t take that privilege from the Melbourne Storm’s stars) … And one would suspect Billy Slater would prefer a move to a Queensland club, possibly not The Brisbane Bronco’s depending if Bruno Cullen will respect Slater as a player in his own right, or if not, Billy might even except a deal from the English Super League … I think Union would have to be lucky to secure Billy and AFL would be a no no … However, unlike the NRL the others have plenty of bucks in the coffers and when you’ve been kicked in the guts and had your reputation torn into tatters as has Slater, Smith, Cronk and Inglis, well I wouldn’t blame these men for thinking of themselves and their families first and taking the big bucks while they where on offer …
A CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE NRL AND IT NEEDS TO START WITH PEOPLE POWER … VOTE DAVID GALLOP OUT
GO THE MIGHTY MELBOURNE STORM – SHOW THE COWBOYS YOUR SUPER STYLE …
April 29th 2010 @ 8:12pm
Alfa said | April 29th 2010 @ 8:12pm | Report comment
Apparently some rugby bloke called Greg Inglis is about to be signed by Essendon. Would he be any good in the AFL?
April 29th 2010 @ 10:01pm
Redb said | April 29th 2010 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
AFL footy show had reported, Folau considering switch to AFL via GWS but no decision yet, Rebels still involved.
Also confirmed some interest inInglus from Essendon, some connection with former Bomber champ Michael Long.
Pure speculation, no doubt player managers at work .
April 29th 2010 @ 10:17pm
Michael C said | April 29th 2010 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
yep, just been watching this – - amazing, Hutchy normally has pretty solid sources. And you can’t blame the guys for seeking a change – - as NRL players they are gutted. Heard today that the Storm are arranging counselling for the players……….not borrowing the chaplain from Essendon are they??
April 30th 2010 @ 9:21am
Redb said | April 30th 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment
I’d prefer Essendon focus on winning this Saturday night.
April 29th 2010 @ 10:02pm
Redb said | April 29th 2010 @ 10:02pm | Report comment
That should read Inglis.
April 30th 2010 @ 8:41am
Michael C said | April 30th 2010 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Kevin Sheedy rejects Billy Slater, reported today in News Ltd press.
“It’s a waste of time going for a 26-year-old if there’s a kid who is 16 that said he was interested in changing codes. Then you’d absolutely consider it.”
Folau on the other hand, is young enough that as a (bloody expensive) project player, get 2 pre-seasons into him, teach him to kick at least as wells as James Manson or Andrew Dunkley, and see what he could do as a maturing 24 yr old with an improved tank and his athleticism. He’d come with age on his side (relatively) and has illustrated certain core attributes (that ironically were developed whilst in Melbourne – - i.e. the ‘high marking’). Many a ruckman will take his big mark and then dish off a handball to the mosquito fleet buzzing around him.
April 30th 2010 @ 6:17pm
Mrs T said | April 30th 2010 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
Well Mr Sheedy, the chances of Billy Slater leaving the greatest game of all, to play AFL would be a million to one, and that would have very little to do with dollars … If there is one attribute the Slater has over many footballers, including those in the AFL is that he is patriotic to his roots and the sport HE WAS BRED AND BORN TO PLAY … AND, without a shadow of a doubt even if there was a 10 year age gap between Slater and Folau, I can categorically tell you Slater would leave Folau for dead as a rugby league footballer and an athlete … Did you not watch the last two years of Rexona’s, Australia’s Greatest Athlete, because in 2010 your AFL representative didn’t come close to the superiority that was and is BILLY SLATER … Israel Folau would need more then his faith and God on his side to compete against Billy Slater in that sporting contest … It won’t be long before those in the NRL are saying, “Israel who” ??? BILLY SLATER WILL HAVE HIS NAME IN THE NRL HALL OF FAME …