His rehab journey has just begun but Billy Slater is motivated to pull on the purple jersey once again.
The champion fullback has been sidelined since Round 1 after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Roosters, Saturday 23 July, 7:30pm.
After spending several months recuperating, the 33-year-old recently returned to the club to commence his rehab.
It is only early days but he is pleased with the way things are progressing so far.
“It is coming along really well,” Slater said.
“I have been able to step it up over the last few weeks and things are moving along really nicely.
“I’ll be coming into the Club a lot more regularly now so I’m looking forward to that.
“We’ve been a little bit more conservative this time around given the fact it is the second shoulder reconstruction I’ve had in the last 12 months… but in terms of what we are doing it is relatively the same.”
There is plenty of hard work ahead for Slater as he eyes off a return when the 2017 season kicks off in around eight months.
However he admits the thought of pulling on the Storm jersey once again and running onto AAMI Park will be what motivates him over the next few months.
“That is what is driving me to come in and do my rehab,” Slater said.
“I hope to be there in Round 1 next year and if all goes well I’ll be lacing the boots up and playing for Storm next year.”