Star fullback Billy Slater has declared himself a certainty for the Storm's opening NRL clash with Manly on Saturday week following his recovery from shoulder surgery.
There was doubt over whether Slater would be fit to play in the Storm's first match for points since April last year, with his
recovery from an operation slower than expected.
But the 27-year-old Test custodian came through his first contact training session on Wednesday and at the club's season launch on Thursday morning said he would start in the AAMI Park match.
The news is a boost for the NRL, providing a first up clash of two of the game's most exciting fullbacks with Brett Stewart expected to return for Manly.
Slater said he could have played in the Storm's final trial, a loss to Brisbane, if he had to last weekend.
"The shoulder's going along pretty good and I've always been confident of where I'm at. I'd be pretty surprised if I'm not there next Saturday night," Slater said.
He had no qualms about heading into an NRL game without a pre-season hit-out.
"Ideally you'd love to be at peak fitness and have four months of pre-season under your belt and be firing but the amount of football we play these days ... I'm not concerned at all."
Slater's news was a relief for coach Craig Bellamy, with his two preferred centres, Souths recruit Beau Champion (calf) and Chase Stanley (knee) both nursing injuries, although the pair remained hopeful of playing.
One of his two five-eighth selections, former Panther Maurice Blair is also injured, leaving the door open for England Test representative Gareth Widdop to grab the No.6 jersey left vacant by Brett Finch's departure to England.
The clash with one of their fiercest rivals will have extra incentive for the Storm, who were unable to earn competition points last season as a penalty for rorting the salary cap.
Slater said the side preferred to look ahead to the coming season than the past.
"We put last year behind us when the final siren went in round 26 so last year was last year.
"We're excited about getting into the season and we're excited about starting successfully.
"We want to be playing good football in round one and working off the back of that."
The Storm completed their 2011 playing roster on Wednesday by giving a one-year contract to 24-year-old winger Sisa Waqa, who has spent three months trialling with the club.
- AAP
Billy Slater. Photo / Getty Images
Star fullback Billy Slater has declared himself a certainty for the Storm's opening NRL clash with Manly on Saturday week following his recovery from shoulder surgery.
There was doubt over whether Slater would be fit to play in the Storm's first match for points since April last year, with his
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