If Billy Slater hadn't done enough to win back Queensland's No.1 jersey, he sent one final reminder to selectors in Melbourne's 18-13 win over Cronulla.
After an up-and-down night on Thursday, the Melbourne fullback showed Maroons coach Kevin Walters what he is capable of with ball in hand as he produced the match-winning pass for the thrilling win.
In a physical encounter befitting the rivalry between last year's NRL grand finalists, the Sharks recovered from an early 12-0 deficit to take a late lead before Slater worked his magic.
With six minutes to play and down 13-12 following a James Maloney field goal at Southern Cross Group Stadium, Slater took the ball to the line and provided a short pass for second-rower Felise Kaufusi.
It marked the Storm's first win without halfback Cooper Cronk in two years, after he was rested on match eve due to a heavy workload through the Origin period.
A controversial omission from Origin I, Slater broke through five tackles and made some crucial ones himself, including a blinder on a runaway Luke Lewis to force him into touch, in his last game before the next Origin sides are named.
But he also coughed up two errors close to the line, including a costly drop that led to Cronulla's first try.
"His effort and his involvements were outstanding but he probably got a little bit frantic," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said.
"With Cooper missing tonight Billy might have tried to do a little bit more than he usually does.
"I thought some of his best plays tonight were a couple of great tackles."
After Slater fumbled a ball into Maloney, the Sharks five-eighth broke downfield and attracted a penalty before he put Lewis over via a ball that went to ground in the following set.
Cronulla reduced the margin to two just nine minutes into the second half through Sosaia Feki, before Maloney levelled the scores courtesy of a 62nd minute penalty goal.
The NSW five-eighth then appeared to have the match won for Cronulla after a 72nd-minute field goal, before Slater stood up with his 12th try assist in 11 games.
"I knew definitely he was disappointed not to be (in Origin I)," Melbourne and Queensland captain Cameron Smith said of Slater.
"I think he can come away pretty proud of that effort tonight."
Fellow Queensland hopeful Valentine Homes ran 172 metres at the back for Cronulla.
Smith also appeared refreshed following his break after Origin I, as his fingerprints were all over the Storm's first two tries in the opening eight minutes.
After he kicked a 40-20 from dummy-half in the third minute, he fired a flat pass for Kaufusi close to the line from him to score his first.
Smith then went short again out of dummy-half five minutes later for prop Tim Glasby, who took the ball on the advantage line and crashed over the line.
Share
