The legend will play on.
Billy Slater is free to take his place in the Melbourne Storm’s grand final side, which will also be his farewell game in the NRL.
A three‑member judiciary panel last night found the retiring Melbourne fullback not guilty at a three‑hour judiciary hearing, allowing him to play one final match of rugby league in Sunday’s NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
Slater’s stellar career would have been prematurely ended if found guilty last night at the hearing.
Slater fronted the highly‑anticipated hearing charged with a grade one shoulder charge on Cronulla’s Sosaia Feki in last Friday night’s preliminary final in Melbourne.
He pleaded not guilty.
During evidence, Slater claimed Feki changed direction on his run for the corner, ensuring the collision occurred earlier, around two metres than expected.
Slater thanked the judiciary members for a fair hearing.
The judiciary panel members took 54 dramatic minutes to reach their verdict as they watched eight different angles of the hit.
The Melbourne Storm will meet the Roosters in the NRL Grand Final at 9.20pm Sunday.
[Source: news.com.au/ dailytelegraph.com.au]
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