Billy Slater felt like he’d been hit by a bus, not the beast.
The Melbourne Storm superstar never saw Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei coming in their NRL clash at AAMI Park but he certainly felt him.
Midway through the first half Slater was just metres from the tryline when the 100kg winger, known as “The Beast” came from his blindside in a rib-ratting hit.
Slater, who wasn’t able to get his hands away to soften his fall, dropped the ball and looked down and out.
Storm Coach Craig Bellamy said his fullback was feeling it post-match.
“He didn’t know he was coming and he ended up very awkwardly hitting the ground and that shook him up a bit, Bellamy said.
“He landed on his shoulder and then with Manu’s weight coming down on him.
“He’s got a few pains and ailments now.”
Slater was also on the wrong end of a hit by backrower Sebastine Ikahihifo but in a display of his courage, climbed off the deck to be one of the Storm’s best in their 30-14 win.
Late in the half when the Storm were only up 6-0 he pulled off a try-saving move on runaway Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson
He looked beaten but managed to ankle-tap Johnson, who lost the ball.
I thought that was probably the biggest play of the game, Bellamy said.
They’re the sort of plays the big three (Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith) come up with now and then.
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