BIG THREE BECOMES TOP TWO

AFTER 14 years as brothers in arms, all that remains is two special hours.

Melbourne’s big three of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and the departing Cooper Cronk will combine for their 231st and final match together in tonight’s NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium. Their final assignment? Tearing up the pages in the fairytale story of the never-saydie North Queensland Cowboys.

The title-deciding result aside, it will be a moment to cherish for a Sydney crowd expected to tick just over 80,000, and almost two million TV viewers.

Because from 9.30pm, Melbourne’s big three will become the terrific two.

In a massive boost for Slater, Storm fans and the entire game, the world’s greatest fullback can pour his entire focus tonight into sending out Cronk with a premiership, in the knowledge that he’s preparing to play on in 2018.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Slater is being lured towards a 16th season with the Storm by a string of milestones and achievements, including an unforgettable Origin series swan song at the MCG.

Only Slater’s intense focus on winning tonight’s grand final has stopped him from ending all speculation about his future prior to kick-off.

All that awaits the intricate paperwork — which has been agreed upon in principle by both Slater’s management and the Storm hierarchy — is the 34-yearold’s signature.

It’s been suggested to The Sunday Telegraph that a new contract could be announced at Melbourne’s end-of-season club awards night on Wednesday.

However, Slater will prioritise savouring the Storm’s premiership success, or absorbing the pain of defeat, over any announcement.

He will also have World Cup selection and team commitments to manage over the next 48 hours, before being physically able to put pen to paper. Playing in his 299th NRL match tonight, Slater is acutely aware that a new deal would enable him to join the elite 300game club in round one next season.

Also included in Slater’s discussions with the Storm, is the club’s encouragement for their greatest No. 1 to resist retiring from the State of Origin arena.

Slater has played 29 Origin matches for Queensland and should he play all three matches in next year’s series, he would enter the most elite of company by surpassing the number of Origin appearances by Maroons legends Wally Lewis (31) and Greg Inglis (30), while also equalling one of the greatest Canetoads of all, Mal Meninga (32).

The appeal of launching the 2018 series at the MCG in Origin I, with a chance to say thanks and farewell to the supporters from the city he’s called home since 2003, would be treated as a major celebration, not just for Queenslanders, but for the entire game.

Slater’s presence would give the NRL every chance of surpassing the record MCG crowd of 91,513, from game two in 2015.

The club’s willingness to have Slater involved in representative football also includes the option of being “rested” from selection during the regular season, in order to manage his playing load.

Similar to how the club designed the regular season load this year of Cooper Cronk (18 of 26 games) and Cam Smith (19 of 26 rounds), Slater would be afforded the opportunity to be “rested”.

The football department at the Storm view

this option as not only a benefit for Slater’s long-term health and success, but also a chance to continue their proven formula for development and the blooding of the club’s next crop of rising stars, including 22year-old fullback Jahrome Hughes.

Undeniably, Slater’s comeback from a career-threatening shoulder injury has also contributed to the protracted decision-making process.

The gifted Queenslander has stunned even his closest companions with his will, desire and want to return to the game, after suffering such severe shoulder damage.

His surgeon Dr John Trantalis compared the injury to that of a car crash victim. However, Slater’s blistering form in 2017 for the Storm — 18 try-assists in 20 appearances and averaging 102-metres per game — has left every league fan in no doubt, he can continue playing in 2018 — and possibly beyond.

The Melbourne camp have been loath to exert any added pressure or expectation on Slater and indeed Cronk’s final match in their club colours, by deflecting all questions proposed about their futures, with a “team first” response.

“This week is about everyone — there’s not to many chances, you get to play in a grand final,’’ Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

“He ( Cronk) hasn’t made a point of it, so that’s where it sits.’’

The Storm are the heavilybacked $1.28 favourites with the TAB. The Cowboys are $3.75. Both sides completed their preparations without concern yesterday; Melbourne putting their finishing touches together at ANZ Stadium, the Cowboys at Kogarah Oval.

Matt Scott has been ruled out of a grand final salvo by Paul Green.

If you live that Melbourne Storm philosophy, you're going to be successful in anything you do in life.