Veteran Melbourne NRL fullback Billy Slater has confirmed he will play on in 2018.
Slater surprised his premiership-winning teammates with the news on Tuesday night at the Storm's end-of-season awards.
![Melbourne Storm hero Billy Slater.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171003234315im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/s/j/w/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gytp72.png/1507020357134.jpg)
The 34-year-old returned early this season from two shoulder reconstructions to win the Clive Churchill Medal in the Storm's grand final win on Sunday over North Queensland.
"I can now give you a definitive answer. I've worked out what I want to do next year and that's to play on," Slater said to the cheers of the 800-strong crowd at the awards night.
"The grand final was my priority and, through the finals series, I haven't really given it too much thought.
"It's always been a physical decision for me and my body is feeling quite good and I'm ready to go around for another year."
AAP, more to come