It's business as usual for Melbourne's Billy Slater with the superstar fullback back in training with the Storm before his NRL grand final hopes go on the line in Tuesday night's judiciary hearing.
Slater was greeted by cheers from the Storm faithful as he took to the field for their first training session since Friday night's preliminary final win over Cronulla.
The 35-year-old will find out on Tuesday night if that match was his last before retirement or he will get a final farewell in Sunday's grand final against Sydney Roosters.
Facing a shoulder charge ban, the NRL will be represented by Anthony Lo Surdo, who coincidentally successfully prosecuted Canberra's Sia Soliola last year for his high shot on on Slater which resulted in a five-week suspension.
Long-time Storm teammate Ryan Hoffman said he had no clue which way the three-person judiciary panel would rule but hoped Slater would get the send-off he deserved.
"You can talk about what people deserve and what's fair and all that sort of stuff but unfortunately we don't live in a fair game," Hoffman said on Monday.
"Obviously people don't deserve to go out like that but you just don't know what's going to happen at the judiciary, so your guess is as good as mine."
The man who is set to replace Slater if he's banned, Jahrome Hughes, got a vote of confidence from Hoffman.
He too ran strongly at training.
"It will be a big loss because Bill's been the best fullback the game's ever seen but we've got all the confidence in the world in a young kid whose played halfback, but we think is a better fullback than what he is halfback," Hoffman said.
Hughes himself said he'd get the job done if required.
"Obviously I want to see him play but I think I'll be alright," Hughes said.
"When he missed a few games earlier this year with his hamstring I jumped in there.
"If I do get the chance to play, the boys, like Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, will be there to help me out."
Storm second-rower Joe Stimson said 23-year-old Hughes had the right temperament to handle the big stage at ANZ Stadium.
"He's a very relaxed bloke and he will take it in his stride and fit straight in," Stimson said.
"Hopefully Billy plays but if not Jahrome's a great replacement."
Australian Associated Press
