Billy Slater’s achievements speak to his prodigious talent with premierships, State of Origin series wins, club best and fairest awards, Test caps, Player of the Year awards, and a Dally M Medal under his belt, he is regarded by many around the world as the finest full back of any era and possibly the greatest player the game has seen.

As a small-for-his-age North Queensland lad Billy Slater nearly chose to be a jockey; his love of horses led him to Gai Waterhouse’s famous stables where he worked for a time. But a growth spurt and his increasing strength led him back to rugby league, a game he loved. Slater made his debut in 2003 and has played for Melbourne Storm ever since.

Exhilarating and electrifying, Billy Slater is the player people come to the footy to watch: a true sports sensation.

He is seriously special, and what’s more he’s a tremendous athlete. He’s about the best of his generation. Whether he’s playing for the Storm, Queensland or Australia … I’d pay anything to go and see him play. League Immortal Bob Fulton

John Ellicott is the author of Waterhouse & Smith: The power of two racing dynasties, A Year on the Punt and Uncommon Heroes of Rugby League. He has over two decades of experience as a journalist for some of Australia’s major newspapers.