Clive Churchill medallist Billy Slater says he will soak up the enormity of Melbourne’s premiership triumph before making a final decision on his NRL future.
Slater broke down in tears after completing his comeback from double shoulder surgery by claiming man-of-the-match honours in Sunday’s 34-6 grand final win over North Queensland.
He hadn’t played a game in almost two years before returning last March.
The 34-year-old is without a contract for next season but is believed to have all but agreed on a one-year contract extension to play on in 2018.
“I haven’t really thought about it, but if I had to put a timeframe on it, I’d say it’d be in the next couple of weeks,” Slater said.
“It will be a physical decision and the victory tonight still won’t determine whether I play on or won’t be a factor in the decision I make.”
Slater felt his body remained strong given his age and 15 years in the NRL, however is intent on making the right decision both for his family and the club.
Youngster Jahrome Hughes is the club’s long-term solution at fullback.
“I don’t want to make the decision lightly and leave the club in a position where they need to pick someone up late and there’s no one left or something like that,” Slater said.
“At the moment I just want to enjoy tonight. I wanted to enjoy the finals series. I suppose I look back on what I haven’t had the last two years and I’ve got it now and I want to enjoy it.”
Slater was one of many standout performers in the 34-6 win over the Cowboys after scoring a try and having a hand in two others.
It was the second time Slater was awarded the medal, however the State of Origin star spoke openly of the physical and mental battles he endured during his attempts to return.
All the memories came flooding back when he was called on stage to receive the award.
“I suppose when you go through what I’ve been through, it’s hard not to be emotional. I love this game, I love playing this game and that was taken away from me,” Slater said.
“I worked seven, eight months really hard to go all the way back to the start, a little bit like snakes and ladders. That was heartbreaking for me to get that news.
“I thought of all those things and emotion gets the better of me sometimes and that’s what overflowed on the stage.”
