It has been 1,019 days since Billy Slater last played in Queensland.
That wait will end this Saturday when arguably the greatest fullback of the modern era returns to Suncorp Stadium.
Slater will run out to a heroes welcome for Melbourne in the NRL Double Header against the Gold Coast.
The blockbuster event will see Storm take on the Titans at 5.30pm before the Broncos become visitors in their own home against the Sea Eagles at 7.30pm.
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It has been a long wait for Slater to return to his home state and he admits he is counting the sleeps.
“I am really looking forward to this weekend, it is the Double Header up in Brisbane, I missed the Double Header last year so I am really looking forward to getting up there,” Slater said.
“I believe it is going to be a sell out, they’ve pre-sold majority of the tickets. The atmosphere is going to be Origin-like.
“I am really looking forward to being part of the Double Header up in Brissy, bring it on.”
Slater has played seven games so far this season and his last outing against the Dragons (two tries, two try assists and a line break) proved the champion was returning to his best.
“I am always really confident in what I can do and what I can bring to the team,” Slater said.
“I’m not surprised with how I am playing, I probably expected myself to be playing better to be quite honest. I am always trying to improve and get better in my performances.
“The last game against the Dragons was probably my best game so far but the challenge is now to improve on that and sustain and maintain what I am doing.”
