'It's in his hands': Why Slater is backing Addo-Carr's fullback move
by Christian NicolussiBilly Slater says ''footy nous'' and an amazing work ethic are just two of the reasons Josh Addo-Carr's potential $2m fullback experiment at the Wests Tigers will not backfire.
Slater admitted he had not given much thought to Addo-Carr shifting to the all-important No. 1 position because ''he's one of the best wingers in the game, if not the best winger''.
Apart from Addo-Carr's blistering speed, Slater said the 'Fox' had other key qualities required for the custodian role.
The Tigers have tabled Addo-Carr a four-year deal, which will include bonus payments if he plays at least half the season at fullback, but the Storm still have to grant his wish to return to Sydney a year early.
Addo-Carr can remind Tigers fans of his worth when he lines up against them on Saturday. The same fans will be wondering why their club cut loose Addo-Carr and Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen in the first place.
Slater said you only had to watch Addo-Carr's defensive reads in Origin I last year to see why he was more than just a ''textbook, robotic winger''.
He saved about three tries with his footy nous and speed that night.Billy Slater on Addo-Carr
"He saved about three tries with his footy nous and speed that night,'' Slater told the Herald.
"And by doing that it showed he understands the game and isn't your textbook, robotic winger. He has a feel for the game. That's what you need from your fullback because there will be different situations thrown at you all the time, and instinctively you'll need to come up with the right play.
"We all know he's super fast. We all know if Josh Addo-Carr plays fullback he'll be able to run 80m and score a try. He's going to create a highlights reel - he already has.
"But it will take time to understand the opposition better than anyone else on the field, and the need to know where all the threats are and when they'll come in a game. It's certainly not beyond him.''
Slater also recalled how Addo-Carr was keen to learn and always sat at the front of the meeting room when Storm coach Craig Bellamy devised game plans.
"He'd be there nodding and was always fixated on what Craig had to say,'' Slater said.
"That work ethic he does have, that's what also gives me confidence [he'll succeed].
"At the end of the day it's in his hands, just like it was in Latrell Mitchell's hands when he moved [to fullback at] Souths. He'll be good enough if he's willing to put in the work and continue to develop.''
Addo-Carr has formed a lethal combination at the back with Papenhuyzen, a Balmain junior who was let go by the Tigers when he thought the club was about to extend James Tedesco's stay. Instead, Tedesco joined the Sydney Roosters.
Slater said the way Papenhuyzen was used off the bench through the middle against tiring forwards for the Storm at the start of last year would not be lost on NSW coach Brad Fittler.
"It [Origin] is not too early for Paps,'' Slater said.
"Cameron Smith had only played a dozen or so games when he was picked for Queensland, and I'd only played a season and a half, the same as Paps.
"It's been a blessing in disguise the way he came into the NRL. I dare say if he never played off the bench for those dozen games last year, they wouldn't be thinking about him [for Origin]. He showed how tough he is and how effective he can be through the middle of the field.
"It would make me quite nervous if Paps came onto the field when Queensland forwards were tired - that's the biggest endorsement I can give him.''