Billy Slater still a doubt for Melbourne clash with Newcastle on Sunday — and Origin II
IT’S frustrating news for Melbourne and worrying for Queensland. Storm fullback Billy Slater is still in doubt for the Storm clash with the Knights on Sunday — and Origin II.
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BILLY Slater remains a 50-50 chance to run out for Melbourne Storm on Sunday against Newcastle Knights.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Slater, 34, in consultation with Melbourne’s medical team, would decide whether or not he plays this week.
Slater completed a series of run-throughs at different speeds, including change of direction, with and without the ball on Thursday before an open session at Gosch’s Paddock.
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“I wouldn’t say we’re confident, I wouldn’t say we’re not confident either,” Bellamy said.
“It’s a 50-50 thing at the moment and it’s been like that the last couple of weeks actually.
“If he’s reasonably confident, we’ll go to the captain’s run, if not, well, we’ll pull him out.”
The Knights game is the last opportunity for Slater to test the hamstring under match conditions, before Queensland’s must-win State of Origin clash with New South Wales on June 24 at ANZ Stadium.
Slater withdrew from Origin I, not willing to risk further injury and it impact the Maroons’ chances.
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Bellamy has yet to publicly declare his intentions for next season, amid a bidding war between Storm and rivals Brisbane Broncos.
A move north could rely on Bellamy sitting out of the game next year, with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett contracted until the end of 2019.
While the decision is “closer” than it was before, Bellamy played a straight bat again on Thursday.
“We’re getting closer but how close that is I’m not quite sure yet,” Bellamy said.
“There’s a few things to be thought about yet, a few things to be checked out.
“I wasn’t going to rush the decision to please anyone. Both clubs have been very patient, which I really appreciate, but probably just going to have to be a little bit more patient for a little bit longer.”
Bellamy also endorsed the NRL’s crackdown on “dog shots” — late hits off the ball and behind play — which will now automatically attract 10 minutes in the sin bin.
But the premiership mastermind urged referees to make “sensible decisions”.
“There’s still going to be some grey areas, you can just see it now, that someone will get 10 minutes for something and two weeks later someone will do something similar and won’t go in the bin,” Bellamy said.
“It’s a really good idea to do what they’re doing without a doubt … we don’t want those (dog shots) in the game, and trying to stamp them out in this way is a good decision, but as I said, we’re all going to have to be patient.”
Originally published as Billy Slater still a doubt for Melbourne clash with Newcastle on Sunday — and Origin II
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