Having been out of the picture for so long, the injured Melbourne fullback didn't want to be part of the picture.

"I remember we had to get the grand final photo with the whole squad," Slater recalls. "It was probably the most uncomfortable moment I've ever been in at this club.

"I remember walking in the door and every single media camera pointed straight to me. Knowing I wasn't really involved in that week, that wasn't a really good feeling.

"It was tough early in the week, I felt really disappointed. I remember there was one point where I went 'this isn't really about me this week, this is about the boys who have worked hard and earned the opportunity to play in this grand final'.

"From that point on I did everything I could to help them out in the lead up to it to try to work with the back three and that sort of stuff, as I did through the year.

"Grand final day wasn't too bad for me. Knowing that the boys made the grand final and I wasn't going to be a part of it, that was probably the hardest. Once I got over the selfishness of it, knowing what it's like to be in a grand final and to win one, I just wanted that for the boys."

History will show that the Storm did not take out the decider. That they even got there without Slater – and probably would have beaten Cronulla had there been time for just one more play-the-ball – is testament to the culture and professionalism of the men in purple.

Slater's first game of the 2016 season was also his last. The previous season, the Queensland and Australian custodian made just seven appearances, a campaign also brought undone by that problematic shoulder.

Given his age – Slater will be 34 in June – some have wondered if the injury would become career-ending. Would a superstar who has achieved every conceivable honour in the game – premierships, a Golden Boot, a Dally M medal, representative glory with the Maroons and Kangaroos – still have the desire to not only rehab his injury but go through the seventh torment of hell that is another Melbourne Storm pre-season?

But like Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, the other members of Melbourne's famed "big three", Slater isn't content with past glories. While he admits his "body isn't equal with the mind" in his twilight years, the desire to not only come back but as a better player still burns.

"I don't know where it comes from," Slater says. "At the end of the day, if you don't compete against yourself and better your own performances, your bar won't raise if you are already at the top.

"Having those other two guys alongside me in my career has always pushed me along as well.

"I see the perfection that Cooper demands of himself. And Cam is just Cam. He gives the same every single game, the difference between his best game and his worst game is that small you don't notice the difference. They push you along as well.

"Being involved in a really high standard club that continues to raise the bar and challenge its players is something enjoyable as well."

The exact date of Slater's return remains a mystery. Even the man himself admits he is unsure when he'll be back, although the opening-round clash against Canterbury remains a distinct possibility.

"I'd like to be back in two weeks, in round one," he said.

"I wouldn't call it a goal but that's something realistic for me, but if I'm not back in two weeks, hopefully I'm back soon after.

"If you look at timeframes – and I know everyone wants to talk about dates – I couldn't imagine me not playing before round five.

"But if I don't play until round 10, then so be it. I'm content with that.

"I've sat through two finals series watching my team play, I sat through an Origin series last year after being involved with it for a decade. It's not much fun.

"When I get back out there I want to know I'm comfortable, that I've made the right decision."

Slater's sabbatical has given him opportunities to explore his post-playing options. He enjoys providing his insights into rugby league via his media commitments or while sitting alongside master mentor Craig Bellamy in the coach's box. If and when he joins the clipboard brigade remains to be seen.

"I could get back out there and by the end of the year feel I'm cooked," he says.

"I've been through a fair bit of adversity over the last two years and not played much footy, so that could prolong my career a little bit.

"I feel really good, my body feels great. It might be my last year, but I haven't really thought about when I'm going to hang them up or put any things in place [for when I do].

"That will determine things as well, the footy I play."

Slater has made 27 appearances for the Maroons and 25 for the Kangaroos. He is keen to add to those numbers in a World Cup year, but knows his past deeds don't give him a mortgage on either jersey.

"It's not about me wanting to play for Queensland, it's about Queensland being the priority," he says.

"If they need Billy Slater, I'm happy to jump out, put my hand up and give my all. Same for Australia, I love playing for Australia. If I come back and play some good football, I'm available. They don't owe me anything. I'm a servant to the jersey and that team. If it's of benefit in having me there and I'm playing good enough football, then 100 per cent I'd like to play again."

BILLY SLATER ON …

What makes Craig Bellamy great ...

"It's his simplicity and diligence not to overlook anything, not to sweep things under the carpet.

"I can't remember the last time Bellyache has come up with a set play. He's not a complicated coach, he's a simple coach and that's why he gets a lot of results out of players that have been at a few different clubs and might not have fulfilled their potential. He drives home the effort areas. He doesn't expect Bryan Norrie to go out and do what Greg Inglis does. But he expects both of those players to perform a role. He drives those standards home."

The other members of the "big three" ...

"I think we complement each other. For me, Cooper controls everything and just allows everyone to not worry about that. He's got a great kicking game, his communication is first class and he's a tough defender. You know he will compete on everything. He directs us around the park.

"Cameron is a calmer person and that comes across in his leadership. One thing that Smithy doesn't get accolades for as much as he should is his skill, how good a footballer he actually is with the footy in hand. He's extremely strong."

The secret to the Storm's success …

"Michael Crocker and Anthony Quinn – and he wasn't playing rep footy at the time – are the only established first graders [we've recruited]. It's the environment we're in down here. We raise standards. At training, if someone drops a ball their teammates aren't happy with them, but most importantly they're not happy with themselves. The intensity is high and that's driven by Craig, he demands that of his players. Being down here out of the spotlight helps. You can focus on the job at hand, there's not the added pressure of the media to a certain extent and you can get away from footy when you leave the club.

"We always have a competitive team. When you have guys like Cameron, Cooper, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau in your team, you can really just focus on your role and your game. You don't need to feel you need to do something special. You know if you bust your backside to perform your role, everything else will fall in place with some special players around you."