The future of rugby league is in good hands with players like Billy Slater coming through the ranks. The Queensland excitement machine has been a revelation since he debuted for Melbourne, literally taking the NRL by storm. After a short time in the top grade, Slater has emerged as one of the brightest stars of the competition, with his electrifying pace and sublime footwork making him a standout of the Queensland State of Origin side at the age of 21. His immense popularity has seen him infiltrate the AFL dense Melbourne market and he has become the most recognisable rugby league player to strap on a boot for the Melbourne Storm.

Slater came from nowhere in his first season in the NRL in 2003, making his first grade debut for Melbourne in round one of that year. Given an opportunity, the former trackwork jockey grabbed it with both hands. Slater’s breathtaking pace has been a highlight of the Storm’s electrifying attack.

In 2004, Slater picked up where he left off. He forced his way onto the Queensland wing, scoring a brilliant solo try in Origin II as the Maroons levelled the series. By the end of the season Slater had scored 33 tries in 48 games.

Slater suffered from a number of injuries during 2006 and early 2007 which peppered both seasons however his brilliance on the field helped the Storm win their way into the 2006 Grand Final where he was the Storm’s best player in a losing side. Billy was at his career best in 2007 after he returned from a fractured cheek bone in Round 11. Slater was a vital part of the Storm back line scoring 8 trys in 9 appearances whilst setting up over 20 trys during the season. Billy was part of the 2007 Premiership winning team and was regarded by many as the best player on the field.

It was only a matter of time before Slater would wear the green and gold and his start to the 2008 was nothing short of sensational. Billy's form was rewarded when he was selected at fullback for the Australian Test team in the Centenary Test against New Zealand, displacing incumbent, Brett Stewart. Two weeks later, Slater was selected to once again represent at State of Origin level with Queensland winning the series 2 games to 1.

Slater’s scintillating form in 2008 had experts acknowledging him as the best player in the game and he seemed a certainty to take out the Dally M Award for the game’s best player. However 3 points were controversially deducted from a suspension in round 19 meaning he narrowly missed out to Manly’s Matt Orford.

Billy’s on field exploits have been matched off the field where Slater has worked as a "Banana Ambassador" for the last 3 years, a role he continues to fulfill, working with the Australian Banana Promotions Company to revitalise their national marketing campaign and ensure that the viability of the Australian Banana industry remains strong. Billy is also an ambassador for adidas Australia and he is contracted to the NRL Footy Show.