Billy Slater - Page 2

mutski · #11 23-03-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canute

I've never been more impressed with a seemingly unremarkable individual performance in any sport than I was when I watched Melbourne play last year. They won a low scoring game and Slater didn't score any tries, made the odd jinking run and of course played his part in many an attacking move, but nothing that would really grab your attention watching on TV. However, he was absolutely mesmerising and after about 20 minutes, I found myself following his bright orange boots rather than the ball. He'll make a 30m run one way, dragging defenders and creating space and then on the very next play, sprint a 40m loop the other way, dragging the defence back. He knows he's not getting the ball, but allowing his forwards to punch it up the middle and make ground. Then, when you least expect it, he'll put on the jet shoes and run a perfect line into a hole. And he does all that running on every single set.

That I can believe. The ARL has developed a number of players over the years who are simply on another level. Every time we play them I feel like they're toying with us, at any point all they have to do is unleash their Slaters or Lockyers or Langers or Stewarts or...... the bloody list goes on!

canute · #12 25-03-2012, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canute

I've never been more impressed with a seemingly unremarkable individual performance in any sport than I was when I watched Melbourne play last year. They won a low scoring game and Slater didn't score any tries, made the odd jinking run and of course played his part in many an attacking move, but nothing that would really grab your attention watching on TV. However, he was absolutely mesmerising and after about 20 minutes, I found myself following his bright orange boots rather than the ball. He'll make a 30m run one way, dragging defenders and creating space and then on the very next play, sprint a 40m loop the other way, dragging the defence back. He knows he's not getting the ball, but allowing his forwards to punch it up the middle and make ground. Then, when you least expect it, he'll put on the jet shoes and run a perfect line into a hole. And he does all that running on every single set.

He has just done exactly that again, against the Roosters, to score. Made the 1st Melbourne try as well, just by being there. Defenders expected him to get it, got drawn into covering him, but they skipped Slater and went to the centre who jogged through the gap where the Slater-fixated defender used to be.