Injury-hit fullback Billy Slater will make his return from a year on the sidelines in Melbourne’s NRL pre-season trial matches.
The Storm won’t risk the 33-year-old in February’s Auckland Nines, with a shoulder injury limiting the former Australian and Queensland star to eight games in two years.
But assistant coach Jason Ryles said Slater will return to the field for the first time since round one of 2016 in the pre-season, seemingly removing any doubt over his readiness for the opening round of the NRL season.
“(He’ll) definitely be playing in our 13 v 13 trials,” Ryles told Sky Sports Radio on Friday.
“It’s not worth the risk sending a player of his quality to the Nines, I don’t think.”
Slater has been on the comeback trail since re-aggravating the shoulder issue in March last year, shutting down his entire campaign.
He managed seven games in 2015.
The 278-game veteran said in December his shoulder was not back to full strength and cast doubt on his prospects of returning to rugby league.
But Ryles said he was progressing well, having returned to full contact at training this month.
“He’s training really well. He’s started his contact so he’s in pretty good shape at the moment. He’s increasing his contact every week,” he said.
“He’s been back in full training for quite a while now. Hopefully he translates that into a good NRL season.”
Ryles said Slater’s return would allow Cameron Munster to shift into a ball-running role, with the stand-in fullback training at five-eighth in the off-season.
“There’s certainly a huge bonus having Bill back and also having Cameron Munster as a bit more of a runner,” he said.
Dutski
Roar Guru
You mean the tackle that Wing himself said was a legal tackle and he had no problem with?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I hope he does make it and get somewhere near his best, if that be possible. Nothing more exciting than seeing Billy the Kid in full flight.Shades of ET of bygone years.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I can tell you that he looked like a 16 yo on his skate board in Geelong last week. Just having him training with the team creates a huge influence, so much so that every young storm player has got his own skate board.
Chris
Roar Pro
I don't know if he will impact them much; they had a certain style last year that Munster had the role that Billy normally would. Now with him there, their style could change a bit from last year. They may use Munster in the role that Blake Green had- a foil for Cronk to do his work, and provide a platform for Slater off of that.
Swannies
Guest
Slater is the missing piece in the puzzle for Storm. They will have a slow start then charge into the finals...a chance for redemption in 2017.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Slater is too good to risk in trials. Slater is beyond trials
Brendon
Guest
Fingers cross d other teams don't see the shoulder as a target. I'd hate to see a top player ranked out by a dirty shot to the back.... hmmm, when do thenStorm play the Roosters....? (remember Craig Wing?)
Greg
Guest
Slater should do the honourable thing and retire. He was a great player but he's been milking the Storm for money for the past two years and potentially a third. If he had of retired last year when he did his shoulder again the Storm could have used his high value salary to sign someone else or potentially two above average players. Who knows, maybe Slater cost the Storm the premiership last year by not retiring, they might have been able to beat the Sharks if they had signed other players.
Chris
Roar Pro
A player of his great quality deserves to go out on his own terms, and I hope he can have a great season. He's the best fullback of the modern era, so he could definitely provide Melbourne with a platform to build from last year. There is one problem- if he gets a hit too hard, he's gone. Let's pray he lasts for a while.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Lucky for him Cam Smith is on the same team or he wouldn't get past their first encounter. He's been a great player over the years and time will tell if the shoulder can stand up to the rigours of rugby league , but if I were a betting man I'd be putting my money on Billy being in the stands by the end of 2017 .
Richard Maybury
Guest
I hope that Billy lasts the season and has a good one. I don't think he will go much beyond this season so I hope the storm get the premiership and send Bill out on a high.
kk
Roar Pro
The published X-Ray of Billy's shattered collarbone are horrendous to a layman's eye. I double checked a statement by Billy on 6 Dec, 2016. "My surgeon says its a two year recovery and I'm only eight months into it so by next March (2017) I will be half way" Confusion aplenty. I hope you make it Billy.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Munster at five eight is where he should be. The only hope is that Slater stays uninjured. That is doubtful, shoulder injuries don't get better with age. If Melbourne can field this combo with C C at half they should win the premiership.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great news! Hopefully he makes it through the season. I think they seem more confident in his shoulder this year then last as last year he only played from round 1. Would really love to see him out there for one last season...awesome player.