Billy Slater to play on in 2018

STAFF WRITERS | October 3, 2017 - 7:50pm

The perfect week continues for Storm fans with Billy Slater committing to play on in purple in 2018.

The champion fullback has agreed to terms a new one-year deal with Melbourne which will see him add yet another chapter to his illustrious career.Today’s announcement comes just two days after Slater was awarded the Clive Churchill medal for his best-afield performance in Storm’s 34-6 Grand Final victory over the North Queensland Cowboys.

Today’s announcement comes just two days after Slater was awarded the Clive Churchill medal for his best-afield performance in Storm’s 34-6 Grand Final victory over the North Queensland Cowboys.

Slater has played 299 games across 15 seasons in the purple jersey and over that time he has become as the best fullback of his generation and arguably the greatest No.1 of all time.

A two-time Storm Player of the Year, three-time Dally M Fullback of the Year, two-time Clive Churchill Medallist and 2008 Golden Boot award winner, Slater has also played in six grand finals for Melbourne, winning four of them.

The 34-year-old has been the comeback story of the 2017 NRL season.

After spending much of the last two years sidelined through injury, Slater has bounced back to his scintillating best.

He made his NRL comeback amid much fanfare in Round 3 against the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park and from that point on has wasted little time in re-asserting himself as the best fullback in the game, scoring 11 tries in 21 games this season as well as leading Storm for try assists, with 17 to his name.

Slater also made a successful return to the Origin arena, with his comeback in Game II proving instrumental in Queensland overturning a 1-nil series deficit to retain the Shield.

Slater has provided Storm fans with a lifetime of highlights and now they can look forward to another 12 months of brilliance from their superstar No.1.

“We are delighted that Billy has made the decision to pull on the purple jersey again in 2018,” Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said.

“He has been a champion of this Club and NRL for over a decade so it is fantastic for the game as a whole that Billy will be back on the field next year.

“Billy has overcome a great deal of adversity in recent years. The fact he has not only return but is back to his best this season is a true testament to his professionalism, dedication and incredible resilience.

“Our young players will now have another season to play alongside and learn from one of our Club’s all-time greats, which will be invaluable for the future of Melbourne Storm.”