Billy's No.1: Slater crowned Simply The Best fullback
Voted Simply The Best fullback of the past three de
Billy Slater was "extremely humbled" after being voted Simply The Best fullback of the past three decades.
Adding further gravitas to his status as one of rugby league's all-time greats, Slater was named the No.1 from all the stars who have worn the jersey.
More than 108,000 fans voted in the online poll as well as the official NRL Instagram and Facebook accounts.
"I’m extremely humbled. Reality didn’t really sink in until I started naming the fullbacks I watched, idolised and built my game around over the last 30 years," he said.
"Everyday, every game, every season, I tried to be the best I possibly could become. I feel it a privilege for my football to be looked at in this light. Thank you."
NRL.com last week launched the search for the Simply The Best players from 1990 to now to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Tina Turner promotional campaign, which was again featured in this year's advertisement for the Telstra Premiership.
A poll will go live each Friday for each of the nine positions on the field as well as the coach who has been better than all the rest during the past 30 years.
Ad (12 secs)
Slater won after the NRL.com newsroom narrowed the race to be the best fullback down to a shortlist of 10.
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer was the runner-up ahead of modern-day Roosters star James Tedesco and retired Maroons great Greg Inglis.
NRL.com will call on the fans to have their say from midday on Friday to decide which winger was Simply The Best over the past three decades.
Thu 9 Apr 2020, 12:01 PM
Billy Slater Autobiography
The autobiography of one the greatest rugby league players of all time.
Billy Slater has been called the best fullback ever to have played the game by rugby league greats and fans alike. With a glittering collection of personal and club honours, including four grand final wins, five Dally M awards and two Clive Churchill Medals, he has delighted fans of the Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and the Australian Kangaroos for sixteen years.
More than just a decorated player, however, Slater is a widely regarded and respected figure in the sport. A young country recruit with superb natural talent, he debuted for the Storm after only one pre-season in Melbourne and sent shockwaves through State of Origin in just his second season. But Slater capitalised on his talent with a fierce competitive drive and a relentless work ethic, which he learned from his parents and honed working in the racing industry before hitting the NRL stage.
As well as many celebrated victories, Slater’s career has seen him confront the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, heartbreaking losses and a devastating shoulder injury that made him fear that he would never hold his children again, let alone compete in a brutal sport like rugby league. Through it all Slater has emerged not merely as a great of the game, but as an even more resilient character, an ambassador for his sport, and a devoted husband and father.
Featuring contributions from rugby league legends like Cooper Cronk, Craig Bellamy, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith, and from the Slater family, this edition is updated to include Billy’s final season in the NRL before farewelling the game.
Career
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
2003-2018
Queensland
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
2004-2018
Australia
Melbourne Storm
Australia
2008-2017
Price List
MEMORABILIA
Click image for more information
Billy Slater’s incredible career with the Melbourne Storm began in 2003. This was also the year that master coach Craig Bellamy took the reins at the Storm. It was to be the start of a phenomenal partnership between coach and the number one.
This highly limited edition Billy Slater memorabilia piece is limited to just 100 individually numbered jerseys in total, each personally autographed by Billy.
Billy Slater is one of the most prolific rugby league players to ever wear the hallowed Number 1 jersey for the QLD Maroons.
The 142nd player to have been selected to represent the Queensland Maroons, this Billy Slater memorabilia piece is limited to just 300 individually numbered prints, each personally autographed by Billy.
Signed, framed & authenticated
Billy Slater will forever be known as the Number 1. Not only because of the jersey that he wore for so many years for the Melbourne Storm, Queensland Maroons and the Australian Kangaroos, but, also for the manner in which he played the game.
This limited edition Billy Slater memorabilia piece is limited to only 200 individually numbered prints in total, each personally autographed by Billy.
Signed, framed & authenticated
Billy Slater is one of the most prolific rugby league players to ever wear the hallowed Number 1 jersey for the QLD Maroons.
Billy is a widely respected athlete and ambassador for rugby league, both on and off the field.
The 142nd player to have been selected to represent the Queensland Maroons, this Billy Slater memorabilia piece is limited to just 142 individually numbered jerseys, each personally autographed by Billy.
BILLY SLATER -HARDCOVER
The autobiography of one of the greatest rugby league players in the game's long history.
During a long and decorated career with the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia, Billy Slater has forged a reputation as not merely one of rugby league’s great fullbacks, but as one of the best players in the game’s long history.
Your body is made for exercising. Sometimes, all it needs is a little helping hand to remind it that nature intended us to move!
NRL superstar Billy Slater and expert trainer Michael Chapman have designed these 32 easy-to-follow workouts to help you inject more action into your everyday life. Forget spending money on gym memberships or fancy equipment – everything that you need to improve your fitness is either in your home, in the yard or at the park.
Copyright / 2019 / sfxsports.com.au / all rights reserved
A life in pictures of one of Rugby League's favourite sons.
BILLY SLATER is a talent unlike any other the modern game of Rugby League has seen. He has the innate ability to understand the emotion of the game, make a critical decision in an instant and execute it. He is driven, skilled, charismatic, uncompromising and a role model for aspiring League athletes and fans of the game around the world.
This is a snapshot of Slater’s life to date – his football, his family and his passions. These images tell the story of a man who has grown up with Rugby League in his DNA, embraced the professional spotlight, achieved the greatest accolades the game has to offer, and remained humble and committed throughout all of his success. Enjoy the pictures, relive the memories and look forward to the next steps of Billy Slater
Honours
Individual
- 2005: Dally M Top Try Scorer (19, tied with Shaun Berrigan)[193]
- 2007: Melbourne Storm Team of the Decade (Fullback)[29]
- 2008: Dally M Fullback of the Year
- 2008: Rugby League World Cup Player of the Tournament[43]
- 2008: Rugby League World Cup Top Try Scorer (7)
- 2008: Rugby League World Golden Boot Award
- 2009: Clive Churchill Medal[49]
- 2009: Melbourne Storm Player of the Year Award[50]
- 2010: Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin)
- 2011: Dally M Fullback of the Year
- 2011: Dally M Medal Player of the Year:[194]
- 2017: Dally M Fullback of the Year[158]
- 2017: Clive Churchill Medal[160]
- 2018: Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin)[189]
Team
- 2006 NRL Grand Final Runner-up†
- 2008 World Club Challenge Runner-up
- 2008 State of Origin series Winners
- 2008 NRL Grand Final Runner-up†
- 2008 Rugby League World Cup Runner-up
- 2009 State of Origin series Winners
- 2009 Rugby League Four Nations Winners
- 2010 World Club Challenge Winners
- 2010 State of Origin series Winners
- 2010 Rugby League Four Nations Runner-up
- 2011 State of Origin series Winner
- 2011 Rugby League Four Nations Winners
- 2012 State of Origin series Winners
- 2012 NRL Grand Final Winners
- 2013 World Club Challenge Winners
- 2013 State of Origin series Winners
- 2013 Rugby League World Cup Winners
- 2014 State of Origin series Runner-up
- 2015 State of Origin series Winners
- 2017 State of Origin series Winners
- 2017 NRL Grand Final Winners
- 2017 Rugby League World Cup Winners
- 2018 World Club Challenge Winners
- 2018 NRL Grand Final Runner-up
