Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater is primed to hit the ground running if he makes his NRL return against Brisbane on Thursday night as expected.
The 33-year-old hasn't played since round one last season, but is widely tipped to make his much-anticipated return from shoulder surgery when the Storm host the Broncos at AAMI Park.
The veteran fullback has been restricted to just eight games in the past two seasons by shoulder issues, but the Storm are confident their conservative approach will pay dividends.
"It's exciting to see the way he's training at the moment ... he's looking really sharp," teammate Kenny Bromwich told reporters on Monday.
"I can't get more excited about the way that he's training because I think when he does come back he's going to light the house up,
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"He's been looking really sharp, he's been training the house down ... we'll see how he goes (today) - hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later."
Barring any setbacks at training, Slater will resume his career 374 days after he damaged his shoulder against St George-Illawarra last season.
Slater's return is expected push the fullback's deputy Cameron Munster to five-eighth.
Munster has excelled in the role during Slater's absence but winger Josh Addo-Carr doesn't expect the reshuffle will cause any undue disruption.
"I don't think much will change ... we've all got to do our jobs," Addo-Carr said.
"I don't think too much will change but the leadership that Billy brings will be good."
Addo-Carr will play his first home game at AAMI Park since switching from Wests Tigers in the off-season.
"I'm pretty excited to play at AAMI Park and to play with Billy Slater is a dream of mine ... he's a good role model and I can't wait to play with him," he said.
"I think to play with Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk ... it's going to be big."
