Slater is a game changer, so much so that the NRL had to change the rules

The only backs to Slater's rivals – Clive Churchill and Graeme Langlands – are already Immortals. Significantly, Clive's wife, Joyce, says Slater is his favorite player

Loading

While rugby league purists raise Slater's captain, Cameron Smith, over him, Billy probably did more to popularize the code. The terror that defeats the defenders when they face Slater in motion only equaled the joy experienced by the Melburnians when they see him in full flight.

The AFL scouts envy the hands of his kitchen glove; his ability to pick up a ball at full speed. He owns a contortionist's body and the feet of a burglar

The children, in particular, identify with him, as he runs, as he was pursued by a gang of killers to wages.

He smiles he turns on an electricity network and the sponsors rush to sign him

He owns a contortionist's body and a burglar.

Paradoxically, for a player who is so instinctive, he watched gaming videos in the middle of his

Now, he generously gives his time to frame future foes

Yet while we may be grateful for his gifts, he believes that it is he who owes the game.

Three days before the 2017 Grand Final, Storm's boss, Dave Donaghy, and Billy's agent entered into a deal for him

A few days after the grand finale, Slater, Donaghy and the agent had a phone connection to determine if he still had the pbadion to play.

The answer was yes and Donaghy thanked the back veteran for helping the club in his succession planning, especially with the departure of Cooper Cronk

"No," said Billy. "I owe you, you and this club."

Storm's coach, Craig Bellamy, said Slater's first 20 minutes in Origin II were the best he's seen in four years .

It was his first game in five weeks. faded. It will take 80 minutes of the best of Slater for Queensland to win Wednesday night.

But he will have to subtly bridge a generation gap to do it, playing young to inspire and old to exert his leadership.