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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21119184-23214,00.html
Slater eyes three-year deal
By Brent Read
January 26, 2007
A YEAR which shapes as the most important of Billy Slater's career looks set to begin on a positive note with the Melbourne Storm fullback on the verge of signing a three-year contract extension with the Storm.
Slater has all but agreed to a new deal, ensuring last year's grand finalist has the bulk of its all-star backline locked up beyond this season. The club has already moved to tie up halfback Cooper Cronk, winger Matt King and brilliant teenage centre Greg Inglis, who is expected to make the transition to five-eighth this year. Slater is coming off the most troubled season of his career, two suspensions restricting him to 15 games and costing him any hope of retaining his Queensland State of Origin jersey.
In his absence, Karmichael Hunt grabbed the No.1 jersey for his state and country.
Hunt will start this season as the incumbent but Slater, one of the most potent ball runners in the game, will be expected to put pressure on the Brisbane custodian.
Storm chief executive Brian Waldron confirmed he was close to finalising an arrangement with Slater's management and hoped to have a deal in place before the pre-season trials, which begin in a fortnight. "He wants to stay," Waldron said. "I would be pretty confident we would get something done ... by the time the trials start. Billy wants to be here."
Slater's retention is also a coup for the game in Melbourne. The former trackwork jockey is a cult figure at Storm, one of the few rugby league players recognisable in a city where the sport lags behind AFL. His continued presence is vital as the Storm continues to make inroads in the southern state.
Excellent news there. I'm sure Billy knows better than anyone he let many people down last year with his indescretions. But i'm tipping him to bounce right back this year to make up for those and have an absolute cracker which can only be a bonus for us considering he missed 10 or so games last year.
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Slater eyes three-year deal
By Brent Read
January 26, 2007
A YEAR which shapes as the most important of Billy Slater's career looks set to begin on a positive note with the Melbourne Storm fullback on the verge of signing a three-year contract extension with the Storm.
Slater has all but agreed to a new deal, ensuring last year's grand finalist has the bulk of its all-star backline locked up beyond this season. The club has already moved to tie up halfback Cooper Cronk, winger Matt King and brilliant teenage centre Greg Inglis, who is expected to make the transition to five-eighth this year. Slater is coming off the most troubled season of his career, two suspensions restricting him to 15 games and costing him any hope of retaining his Queensland State of Origin jersey.
In his absence, Karmichael Hunt grabbed the No.1 jersey for his state and country.
Hunt will start this season as the incumbent but Slater, one of the most potent ball runners in the game, will be expected to put pressure on the Brisbane custodian.
Storm chief executive Brian Waldron confirmed he was close to finalising an arrangement with Slater's management and hoped to have a deal in place before the pre-season trials, which begin in a fortnight. "He wants to stay," Waldron said. "I would be pretty confident we would get something done ... by the time the trials start. Billy wants to be here."
Slater's retention is also a coup for the game in Melbourne. The former trackwork jockey is a cult figure at Storm, one of the few rugby league players recognisable in a city where the sport lags behind AFL. His continued presence is vital as the Storm continues to make inroads in the southern state.
Excellent news there. I'm sure Billy knows better than anyone he let many people down last year with his indescretions. But i'm tipping him to bounce right back this year to make up for those and have an absolute cracker which can only be a bonus for us considering he missed 10 or so games last year.
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