Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith has slammed the hostile reception Billy Slater received from the ANZ Stadium crowd, saying the NRL legend deserved better.
Slater was heckled with boos – even during the pre-game ceremony for the game's retiring players – as his fairytale end to his career turned intoa miserable send off as his Storm side fell to a 21-6 defeat to the Sydney Roosters.
Smith said Slater deserved more respect from the Sydney fans, who also booed Slater during his final on-field interview.
Not a massive @NRL fan, but how’s the complete disrespect of the @sydneyroosters’ fans to boo Billy Slater every time he touches the ball?! He’s a champion of the game FFS! #NRLRoostersStorm
Pathetic Sydney crowd booing Billy Slater - he’s just lost a grand final in the final game of a storied career - he’s all class - they’re the opposite. #NRLGF
Earlier, Slater was also heckled by the fans at ANZ stadium when he appeared on the big screen preparing for the game in the dressing rooms, which provoked a similar response on social media.
The retiring class of '18. Biggest cheer for JT and quite the jeer among the crowd when Billy Slater's name was read out #NRLGFpic.twitter.com/qhdjLQntg9
"We tried our best but that's the way it goes. I'm really grateful for the career I've had, the friends I've made and what rugby league has done for me.
"It taught me lots of things – selflessness, respect. I appreciate everything everyone has done for me
"We didn't help ourselves. We dropped the ball…we couldn't handle their big guys. That's footy. It's the way it went."
