The NRL premiership will not be the only thing on both Brett Stewart and Billy Slater’s minds this afternoon. Although the two fullbacks will humbly admit it is of little importance now, the Australian No.1 jersey will also be on the line when both teams take to the ANZ Stadium.
Stewart and Slater have terrific portfolios, so in the end, the selectors will have a pleasant, albeit, painful, headache when it comes to signalling out either Slater or Stewart for the spot.
Stewart has the most potent try scoring record in the competition at the moment.
The Manly no.1 has scored 92 tries from just 111 first grade games. Twenty two of those four pointers have come this season alone, allowing Stewart to become the unrivalled leading try scorer this year.
Although his counterpart from the Storm cannot match that area of Stewart’s game, Slater has enough firepower of his own to convince the selectors he is the man.
Slater was the fullback for Australia in the Anzac test earlier this year, where the Kangaroos emerged victorious. Also helping Slater’s cause is his form this season, coming within a whisker of claiming the Dally M player of the year award from the clutches of Sea Eagles half Matt Orford.
Only a lack of discipline on Dragons winger Jason Nightingale cost him the game’s premier individual honour.
Overall though, it seems Slater has one foot in the door in terms of Test selection.
In matches against Stewart, Slater has emerged victorious in three of the past four meetings.
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