Billy Slater says he's up to playing 80 minutes after making a triumphant return from injury in Melbourne's 14-12 NRL win over Brisbane.
In his first game in over a year after a second bout of shoulder surgery, the 33-year-old came off the bench at AAMI Park in a 50-minute stint.
Cameron Munster, who has been covering at fullback in Slater's absence, broke his jaw in a head clash midway through the second half and will be sidelined for up to six weeks, making the return of the Test custodian even more timely.
When Slater was introduced to the game at the 28-minute mark Munster moved to five-eighth.
Ryley Jacks, who scored the Storm's first try and set up their late second to level the scoreline, will now resume that role.
Melbourne's athletic winger Suliasi Vunivalu dislocated his shoulder in the second half and could miss up to a month depending on scans.
Slater was disappointed his blossoming combination with Munster would be put on hold.
"He's been playing really well in the first couple if weeks so it's disappointing to lose him but we have Ryley Jacks, and I I don't think we would have won if he wasn't on the field," Slater said.
"That's part and parcel of playing football; someone's misfortune is another person's good fortune and Cameron's probably had that with me over the last couple of seasons."
Slater said game day was the "longest of his football career" and that he battled nerves all week but felt comfortable once he ran out to the roar of the Melbourne crowd.
"It was just the unknown ... the last time I played a game of football I finished the game and had to get re-operated on," he said.
"Those things stay in your mind and I don't have too many more chances like that."
He ran for for 117 metres, making two offloads and broke three tackles but he felt his game smarts were a little off.
"It was my pass selection that I need to work on; when to hold the ball and and when to push that pass.
"Performance-wise I've got a bit to work on but I don't think I've ever played like that and felt as happy."
The Storm have three days break before resuming training ahead of their round-four clash with Wests Tigers on March 26 at Leichhardt Oval.
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