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=== 2003 season ===
=== 2003 season ===
Slater commenced playing for the Melbourne Storm in [[National Rugby League season 2003|2003]]. He has consistently performed since then. He is notable for his speed, instinctive style of play and an ability to inject himself into games at key moments.
Slater commenced playing for the Melbourne Storm in [[National Rugby League season 2003|2003]]. He has consistently performed since then. He is notable for his speed, instinctive style of play and an ability to inject himself into games at key moments. hello this is shannin and i think billy is the man go billy. i look up to u hahaha


=== 2004 season ===
=== 2004 season ===

Revision as of 00:15, 27 August 2009

Billy Slater
Slater in 2007
Personal information
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight86 kg (13 st 8 lb)
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003– Melbourne Storm 151 94 0 0 376
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004– Queensland 11 7 0 0 28
2008– Australia 6 8 0 0 32
As of 22 August, 2009

Billy Slater (born 18 June 1983 in Nambour, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League. A speedy Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne, with whom he won the 2007 premiership. In 2008, Slater was voted the best international player in the world, winning the Golden Boot Award.

Playing career

Slater began playing rugby league for the Brothers club in Innisfail, Queensland at only four years old. He continued to make the Innisfail representative side every season until his final year with the club.

At fifteen years of age he become bored with league so he quit to concentrate on one of his other passions, riding horses. He also worked with the famous Waterhouse stable.

He began to play league again after returning home and early in 2001 he drove 20 hours to Brisbane to trial with the Norths Devils. He was offered a contract and after two impressive seasons in the Queensland Cup, he was offered a spot on the Melbourne Storm playing roster.

2003 season

Slater commenced playing for the Melbourne Storm in 2003. He has consistently performed since then. He is notable for his speed, instinctive style of play and an ability to inject himself into games at key moments. hello this is shannin and i think billy is the man go billy. i look up to u hahaha

2004 season

Slater continued his good form into 2004, earning his first representative honours with a berth on the wing in the Queensland State of Origin team. Slater had a quiet but solid first game and retained his spot on the team for the second game of the series at Suncorp Stadium. It was in this game that Billy Slater, days before of his 21st birthday, became a household name in rugby league, scoring a brace of tries including one of the greatest individual tries in State of Origin history. Trailing 14-12 and 60 metres from the tryline, Darren Lockyer grubbered a kick through the New South Wales defensive line which Slater raced onto, before chip-kicking over the top of fullback, Anthony Minichiello, regathering and scoring. Slater's performance earned him Man of the Match honours.

Slater scored a try in the decider but couldn't stop a Brad Fittler inspired New South Wales side from clinching the series. Slater's club form helped his team finish 6th on the ladder, defeating the Brisbane Broncos in the first game of the finals before succumbing to eventual premiers, the Bulldogs. Following his stellar season, Slater was named in the Kangaroo squad to tour Europe but injury prevented him from joining in the tour.

2005 season

Billy Slater once again impressed in his 3rd NRL season. Slater scored brilliant individual tries during the season, which didn't go unnoticed by selectors and once again Slater was picked for the Queensland State of Origin team, this time at his preferred position of fullback. Queensland won game one by golden point in extra time, due to an intercept from Matt Bowen. Slater returned for the second game in Sydney which saw the return of Andrew Johns, who spearheaded a New South Wales' victory. Despite losing the match, Slater took advantage of a knock-on from the Blue's Anthony Minichiello to score a length of the field try during the match. In search for a scapegoat, Slater was dumped from the Queensland side for the deciding third game in Brisbane.

With injuries and suspensions, Slater had to wait three years for another chance at State of Origin. Slater continued his brilliant form throughout 2005, topping the try scoring charts with 20 tries for Melbourne. Melbourne once again finished 6th in the league and defeated the Brisbane Broncos in the first game of the finals before succumbing to an in-form North Queensland Cowboys team.

2006 season

Slater had a less successful 2006 season. He was suspended in round 4 for seven matches for kicking Wests Tigers' prop John Skandalis. In his comeback game in round 13 against the Sydney Roosters, Slater only played 25 minutes of the second half on the wing and was later found guilty of using a dangerous throw on Roosters' centre Ryan Cross. He was suspended for 2 matches. After Slater's second suspension, Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy decided to give Slater some warm up matches for his comeback into first grade with both North Sydney Bears (Melbourne's feeder club in the NSWRL Premier League) and Norths Devils (Melbourne's feeder club in the Queensland Cup).

Slater made his NRL comeback in round 18 playing his preferred fullback position when Melbourne Storm defeated the Brisbane Broncos at Olympic Park 10-4 in front of 15,479 fans. In round 22 against the Wests Tigers, he was given a two match suspension for a late forearm, which was his third suspension for the season. He came back to the main lineup in round 25 against the Canberra Raiders. A few weeks later, he played in his first grand final, where, despite losing to the Brisbane Broncos, he played a fine game.

2007 season

Slater had a quiet start to the 2007 season. In round 11, he suffered a badly broken cheekbone against Manly when he tried to charge down former team-mate Matt Orford's kick, and collided with teammate Sam Tagataese. On his return from injury, he was in good form, scoring 8 tries from 9 appearances and becoming a vital cog in the back line of the Storm, setting up over 20 tries during the season. He was part of the 2007 NRL Premiership team, beating Manly Sea-Eagles 34-8. Some [1] felt he was unlucky to miss out on the Clive Churchill medal for best player on the ground for his effort in the game and gaining 182 meters.[1]

2008 season

Slater playing for the Storm in August, 2008.

Slater's start to the 2008 NRL season can be described as nothing short of sensational. He scored 3 tries in Melbourne's 32-18 round one win at the Telstra Dome, one at the Sydney Football Stadium in a third round, 10-6 loss to Sydney Roosters and two at Olympic Park in Melbourne's 26-4 win over the Manly Sea Eagles. After his scintilating start, Slater garnered praise from league experts such as Laurie Daley and Andrew Johns as being the best player in the game.[citation needed]

Slater's form was rewarded when he was selected at fullback for the Australian national team in the Centenary Test against New Zealand, displacing incumbent, Brett Stewart. Slater had a modest game in attack for Australia but proved his worth by making numerous try-saving tackles in Australia's 28-12 victory. Two weeks later, Slater was selected to once again represent Queensland in the State of Origin series, this time displacing incumbent, Karmichael Hunt from fullback to five-eighth.

In game I, Slater had a mixed performance for Queensland throwing a few loose passes despite running over 220 metres and making a line break that nearly resulted in a try to Greg Inglis. Queensland eventually lost, 18-10. Slater returned for game II but was dropped to the interchange bench before replacing Karmichael Hunt 30 minutes into the match.

In State of Origin III, Slater once again started from the bench with Karmichael Hunt starting at fullback. A broken arm to Scott Prince at the 17 minute mark forced Slater to fullback with Karmichael Hunt switching to five eighth. Slater broke the line with his first touch and kick return of the game. He was excellent under the high ball, thwarting many attacking kicks. With just 10 minutes to go, Johnathan Thurston broke the New South Wales line, drawing in the fullback before passing the ball to Slater who ran the remaining 30 metres to score the match-winning try and a 16-10 victory. It was Slater's first series win for Queensland.

In round 19, Slater was involved in an all-in brawl in a match against the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He was sin-binned for throwing several punches at winger, Jason Nightingale. He had a two-match suspension downgraded to one match after claiming Nightingale had provoked him with several head-butts throughout the match.

In September 2008, Slater narrowly missed out on the Dally M, Player of the Year, finishing 2 points behind Manly's Matt Orford. A one week suspension in round 19 deducted 3 points from Slater's tally, which would have won him the medal.[2]

Days after playing in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat to Manly, he was named the Melbourne club's Player of the Year.[3]

He capped off a brilliant year by winning the Rugby League World Golden Boot Award as the best player in the world. [4]

World Cup

In August 2008, Slater was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,[5][6] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad but hesitated playing since he was expecting his first child.[7][8] Billy Slater went on to play fullback for Australia in the 2008 World Cup, scoring a hat-trick of tries in a match against England.

About midway through the second half of the World Cup final Slater, who had set up Australia's first two tries, made a grave misjudgement that would end in him costing the Kangaroos the final. The fullback threw a wild pass back in field after attempting to go the short side from a kick return and it was snapped up by Benji Marshall for a gift four-pointer. It was this wild pass that earnt Slater the nick name “Billy give-us-a-try Slater” by Rugby League fans in New Zealand.[9] Although Melbourne teammate Greg Inglis bought them back within 2 points with a try, a penalty try, courtesy of a Joel Monaghan infringement ruled out any possible comeback.

Although Australia lost the game to New Zealand, Slater was named Player of the Tournament following the World Cup final in Brisbane.[10] He was also the competition's top tryscorer with 7.

2009

He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.[11]

In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin match for 2009,[12] and was subsequently picked at fullback for the opening State of Origin match.[13] Billy was the first try scorer in the 2009 State of Origin Series.

Off the field

Slater lives in Melbourne with his partner, Nicole Rose. They have one child child, a daughter, Tyla Rose.[14]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b "Storm skipper makes it a hat-trick". Fox Sports News. 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Peter Cassidy (10 Sep 2008). "Matt Orford beats Slater, Smith to win Dally M". Macquarie National News. Retrieved 24 Nov 2008-. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Slater claim Melbourne Storm club honour". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 Oct 2008. Retrieved 24 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Slater wins Golden Boot". Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club. 30 November, 2008. Archived from the original on 30 November 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Liam FitzGibbon (2008-08-01). "Surprises in Kangaroos squad". "Fox Sports News (Australia)". Retrieved 2008-08-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad". International Herald Tribune. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  7. ^ "Manly six win Australia call-up". BBC. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  8. ^ "Billy Slater may face baby dilemma". The Age. 5 Sep 2008. Retrieved 24 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Year in review: Magical night in Brisbane lifts Kiwis to league's summit". NZH. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  10. ^ "New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final in Brisbane". Fox Sports News (Australia). 22 Nov 2008. Retrieved 23 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Wald, Tom (2009-05-03). "Kangaroos selectors stick by losing World Cup team for New Zealand Test". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  12. ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 2009-04-28. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  13. ^ "South Sydney enforcer Michael Crocker called up for Maroons". Fox Sports. 2009-05-26. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  14. ^ Thomas Chamberlin (29 Oct 2008). "Billy Slater's baby joy". The Cairns Post. Retrieved 25 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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