Secret to the rise of Billy the kid

[Light Reflections]

But we're not talking about the Storm as a team. We're talking about Billy Slater, the player. Individually, he will be remembered as one of the best fullbacks ever.

 

[simostorm]

at the game.. Love watching Billy off the ball specially when the Storm are defending.. he does so much talking and communicating.. and when your sitting on the sidelines or behind the posts.. close when he defuses bombs... he goes up like no other.. its pretty amazing to see close up..

 

[squeeze]

at the game.. Love watching Billy off the ball specially when the Storm are defending.. he does so much talking and communicating.. and when your sitting on the sidelines or behind the posts.. close when he defuses bombs... he goes up like no other.. its pretty amazing to see close up..

totally agree. i sit behind the try line at aami and can't believe the lvl of talk from billy in the defensive line and the consistent yelling by cooper even little things like break from the scum etc, its totally different to how alot of other teams fullbacks operate

 

[Desert Qlder]

Wait someone actually insulted Slaters positional play?

He's not great under the high ball, he's what you'd expect from a first grade fullback but not outstanding. His defense is questionable at times and his positional play, especially on 5th tackles could certainly improve.

 

[stormbati]

Firechild isnt doing himself any favours lol

 

[Beachy Eagle]

But we're not talking about the Storm as a team. We're talking about Billy Slater, the player. Individually, he will be remembered as one of the best fullbacks ever.

Fair point, he certainly will be spoken of as 1 of the greats.

 

[mongoose]

No doubting he is one of the greatest fullbacks ever
But everyone in rugby league other than storm fans with thier heads in he sand will never forget what these merkins did.
And I am sure most will pass that disgust on from generation to generation.
But as I said he is definately one of the greatest as a player....

Many people have already forgotten about the Bulldogs cheating in 02 sunshine. Did people consider Luke Patten and Hazem El Masri cheats when they retired?

 

[Beachy Eagle]

Many people have already forgotten about the Bulldogs cheating in 02 sunshine. Did people consider Luke Patten and Hazem El Masri cheats when they retired?

There is a massive difference between what the dogs did and what the storm did, and a massive difference between the behaviour of the 2 clubs after the decisions were handed down.
But as I agreed to earlier we are only talking about his playing abilities, and for that he will be remembered as a freakish talent.

 

[firechild]

I won't mention him by name to my children, they will know him as one of the cheating merkins.

He will only be mentioned by me alongside some of the biggest grubs to have played the game in my lifetime, right alongside the likes of Terry Lamb and Adam Blair.

 

[DC_fan]

Stewart had a better try scoring strike rate than Slater even playing in a team that wasn't a million dollars over the cap. I think that would suggest something. Slater is good but he still has plenty of flaws in his game.

Slater strike rate is a try every 1.6 games. While Stewarts starke rate is every 1.2 games. A difference in favour of Stewart I grant you, but not much of one.

Slater has a better all-round game then does Stewart. Which is not taking anything away from Stewart who in my opinion is a very good player.

If you believe that Slater still has plenty of flaws in his game then you have absolutley no idea in what you are talking about.

 

[icewind]

It's astonishing looking back that the cutie was able to force Billy to the wing for Qld.

when did this happen?

 

[firechild]

Slater strike rate is a try every 1.6 games. While Stewarts starke rate is every 1.2 games. A difference in favour of Stewart I grant you, but not much of one.

Slater has a better all-round game then does Stewart. Which is not taking anything away from Stewart who in my opinion is a very good player.

If you believe that Slater still has plenty of flaws in his game then you have absolutley no idea in what you are talking about.

I'm not saying Billy Slater is an average fullback. He absolutely is one of the best I've seen but at crucial times he will do one of 2 things, he will pull out something unbelievable that will turn or win a game or he will pull out a monumental blunder. Neither occurence is rare. On current form, Slater has it all over Stewart but they have both had times when they are on top. Slater is probably the best fullback in the modern game but I think it is a stretch to say he is the best ever. People do like to change their mind frequently and with the media working up a sweat promoting the talents of Slater it is not surprising that people think he's the best ever.

Personally, I wouldn't want Slater in a team I support, in fact he is one of the reasons I don't support the current Australian team. He's a grub and that is how I will always view the bloke.

As for the strike rates, it is interesting how you can twist the numbers to make it look less significant. If you view it as a percentage (tries per game) then it is 62% v 82% which is pretty substantial. Even 1.2 v 1.6 is a pretty big difference. However, as has been said, it only shows part of the picture.

 

[Mortar]

He will only be mentioned by me alongside some of the biggest grubs to have played the game in my lifetime, right alongside the likes of Terry Lamb and Adam Blair.

And Brett Stewart.

 

[STORM.99/07]

He will only be mentioned by me alongside some of the biggest grubs to have played the game in my lifetime, right alongside the likes of Terry Lamb and Adam Blair.

And headbutt hayne is sitting comfortably in the grubs section.](*,)

 

[Evenflow]

Stewart gets a double so i take it he's increased his lead over Slater even more as the best FB in the game :sarcasm: