A revitalised Greg Inglis is primed to take over Queensland’s No.1 jersey in a crunch State of Origin III after confirmation of Billy Slater’s worst injury fears.
Slater made the difficult decision to call an early end to his season late on Thursday afternoon after being assessed by Melbourne medical staff.
The Storm on Thursday night confirmed the star No.1’s season was over and he would have surgery next week on his injured shoulder.
He did not appear hampered by the injury despite being heavily targeted in Queensland’s 26-18 Origin II loss on Wednesday night in Melbourne.
However, after Slater consulted the Storm medical staff, it was decided surgery was the best course of action to repair a labral tear of his Glenohumeral joint.
Slater said it was an extremely tough call to make, but one in the best interests of his health and the club.
“After each game I play, the battle to get up for the next week is becoming harder and the shoulder takes longer to settle down, not allowing me to play to my full potential.
“Each week, I’ve been focused on getting up for the next game and was able to do that for Origin on Wednesday night at the MCG, however the best decision is to undergo surgery now.
“I’m extremely disappointed not to be available to play for Queensland in game three and especially for the rest of the season with Melbourne Storm,” Slater said.
Melbourne football director Frank Ponissi said after Slater suffered the injury in round five, the club knew he would require surgery at some stage.
“At the time, we made the decision with Billy to take the conservative approach and rehab and strengthen the joint to get to the end of the season, but knowing potentially at some stage we wouldn’t be able to continue with this approach.
“While we would love to see Billy out on the field for the rest of the season, it was becoming harder for him to recover each week between limiting his preparation for games,” Ponissi said.
With Slater to miss Origin III, it looms as one of a number of team changes, with Queensland teammates backing Cooper Cronk to return as halfback and a shake-up in the forwards mooted.
Centre Inglis is the obvious replacement after his barnstorming return to form in game two.
Inglis was a shell of himself in Queensland’s 11-10 game-one win after spending three nights in hospital while being treated for tonsillitis in the lead-up.
However, Inglis was a man possessed in Melbourne, amassing 128m and a remarkable seven tackle busts.
He combined with Darius Boyd to score an Origin record 16th try and could have had another.
“Inglis will go to fullback – I don’t know whether that’s good or bad (for NSW) because he was colossal last night,” former NSW playmaker Matthew Johns said on Thursday on Triple M radio.
He was just one of Queensland’s walking wounded.
Forward Nate Myles (foot) is in doubt for Gold Coast’s NRL clash on Saturday with the Warriors.
Maroons playmaker Johnathan Thurston will also be monitored before the Cowboys’ Saturday game in Canberra after also copping heavy treatment from NSW.
But most eyes will be on Cronk.
Daly Cherry-Evans failed to step up in his absence and the Maroons will be desperate for Cronk (knee) to return.
“He is a wonderful player and I know he will be doing everything he can to get back on the field,” Slater said.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
No Slater , possibly no Cronk....Claude Rains playing the part of DCE ....I can almost hear the excuses getting ready to be trundled out.
Mac
Guest
I think Billy may have played his last game for QLD. I find myself cringing every time he brings the ball back for the Maroons and brace for the inevitable bashing he receives at the hands of the Blues. It's brutal and honestly must be hard for his family to watch every year. Billy was the best fullback I've ever seen in his hay day and is still fantastic with his awareness, support play and defensive positioning but I'm not sure his body can take another SOO series.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep, write melbourne off for the year.... There's no way they can win the premiership without Slater.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Not unexpected but still disappointing. It does give a chance for Munster to step up as he is next in line. Billy should get a contract to end his career at the Storm and be a one club player. The Big Three all deserve to finish up at the Storm as they have provided great service to the club and many highlights for Storm fans over the years. Hopefully he'll be back in top form for next year, he was going awesome until that injury this year so no doubts he still has what it takes.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Melbourne have actually been pretty good without Slater this year; Munster has been pretty strong at the back and will only improve.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Slater is off contract at the end of this year, given his run of injury in the last few years, surely the Storm would be crazy to sign him onto another deal with so many talented youngsters coming off contract at the end of this year.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Very hard to see Melbourne making the top four now. Bellamy must be frothing at the mouth.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Bye bye Billy
elvey
Guest
good! the last few years the blues have had injuries in key positions, will be interesting to see how Queensland handles the same luck
MJB
Guest
Man, this final game at Suncorp just keeps getting dicier. No Slater, potentially no Cronk... could NSW put on the reverse of their performance in game 3 last year?