Melbourne Storm can still win the NRL premiership without Billy Slater, writes Nick Smart

FOR a long time the loss of Billy Slater for the season would have been spelled the end of Melbourne Storm’s premiership hopes. Not today, writes Nick Smart. Vote: Can Storm still win the title?

NRL - Melbourne Storm v St George Dragons at AAMI Park , Billy Slater has a breather during the round 1 match against the Dragons. 7th March 2016 Picture: Colleen Petch.

FOR a long time the loss of Billy Slater for the season would have been spelled the end of Melbourne Storm’s premiership hopes.

Today, it is manageable.

There is no doubt the stunning emergence of young gun Cameron Munster eases the tension for Storm when dealing with a second successive NRL season without Slater’s brilliant services.

Of course the loss is huge, but Storm can still win the premiership without him.

That is meant as no disrespect to Slater; he is still the game’s best fullback and his organisational and vocal work at the back is hugely underrated.

Although, if you look back to last season, Slater played just seven games for Storm and did not feature after Round 10.

The Sydney critics wrote Storm off, yet the club powered to a home preliminary final berth before being toppled by eventual premier North Queensland.

He will be sorely missed in many ways, but at the same time Munster is fast becoming a star and his best position is fullback and that was evident in Round 1.

With Slater wearing the No.1 jersey in the season-opener against the Dragons, Munster shifted to the centres for the first time in his NRL career.

While it is true Munster was coming off a very limited pre-season due to injury, the 21-year-old was virtually unsighted in attack that night.

Cameron Munster can play at full-back or in the centres. Picture: Colleen Petch

His defensive work was superb, but the change of position did not appear to suit his game and the freedom he enjoys.

He starred when back at fullback against Gold Coast last round and should continue his ascent this season.

The big question mark will be Storm’s depth for the remainder of the season.

It was already down an outside back before the start of the season and now it is down two.

It must sign a player and quickly if the side is again go deep into September.

The club knows this and is already on the hunt for an experienced centre.

The other burning question is will we see Slater play again?

All the indications at this stage point to the affirmative.

While devastated by his second stint of shoulder surgery in nine months, the surgeon has told Slater he can expect to make a full and successful recovery.

Slater will be back; he is too hungry and competitive to go out this way.

You can never replace the Test fullback, but until he returns Melbourne should be able to weather the Storm.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm can still win the NRL premiership without Billy Slater, writes Nick Smart