Melbourne Storm Billy Slater beats NRL Charge

  Leading NRL and Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater tonight successfully had his Grade 2 Contrary Conduct charge reduced to a Grade 1 offence, therefore only missing one week instead of two. Put on the chopping block after going the biff with Jason Nightingale from the St George Illawarra Dragons - Slater claimed his reactions were in self defence and the NRL judiciary agreed, taking 1 week off an initial 2 week black ban. 

Slater will miss this weekend’s Round 20 clash against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland, but will be available for Melbourne’s Round 21 home clash against the Gold Coast Titans next Friday night.