Former teammate could rule on Billy Slater's farewell final

The tackle that has landed Billy Slater in trouble with the judiciary.

Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater may have top level help at tonight's judicial hearing to decide whether he will play in Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

A former premiership winning teammate of Slater, Dallas Johnson, could be part of the three-person panel, reports the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

Johnson, former Roosters skipper Sean Garlick, Queensland legend Bob Lindner, Tony Puletua and Mal Cochrane are the five panel members who have been used by the NRL this year.

Johnson spent seven years playing alongside Slater at the Storm winning two grand finals while Garlick played 64 games from 1994 to 1997 for the Roosters including a stint as captain. The former hooker was on the panel which saw Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell banned for last week's preliminary final.

The NRL is not saying which three panel members will sit in on the most anticipated judiciary hearing this season, reports the Daily Telegraph.

A guilty verdict on Slater's shoulder charge on Cronulla winger Sosaia Feki last week would rule out the Storm star of his final match of the season against the Roosters before retirement.

It is understood Slater will testify at the hearing and has played a large role in his defence.

The Storm will argue Slater's tackle was not a shoulder charge but rather a collision as he attempted to make a tackle.

A sponsor-provided private jet will fly Slater and the Storm staff, including coach Craig Bellamy and football manager Frank Ponissi to Sydney today. The group will return to Melbourne late tonight ahead of a training session tomorrow before they return to Sydney with the rest of the squad later that day.

Slater trained with the team yesterday in front of about 5000 fans in an opening training session.