A Melbourne club sponsor has offered to fly Billy Slater in his private jet to and from Sydney for one of the most anticipated and important judiciary hearings in years.
As Slater met with lawyer Nick Ghabar for several hours on Sunday to map out his case, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said reality was starting to set in for the retiring superstar No.1.
Realist: Billy Slater.
"He's concerned, we all are. He's affected by it and realised he might not be able to play with this situation coming up," Bellamy told Fairfax Media on Sunday. "At the end of the day, if we were to put ourselves in his shoes for five minutes, we'd be feeling exactly how he's feeling.
"He's been through a lot in this game and in his life. He'll handle it OK at the end of the day. But he's also a realist, he doesn't live in fantasy land. He knows he'll get his chance to beat the charge, but there's also a chance he won't beat it and not play."
The Storm had hoped to have the hearing scheduled for Monday night "but for whatever reason they can't do it'", said Bellamy, with the all-important showdown at League Central to proceed 24 hours later.
While Slater did not realise how much trouble he could be in after the siren sounded at AAMI Park on Friday night, Bellamy knew through the TV commentary there was a chance the retiring champion fullback was in strife.
It explained why Bellamy was not in the most jovial mood as he sat next to Slater and captain Cameron Smith at the post-match press conference, despite booking a ticket to the club's eighth grand final under his care.
One sponsor made it known to the Storm they wanted to fly Slater to Sydney and back on their personal jet to minimise the disruption. The Storm were yet to decide if they will accept the generous offer.
Several members have also threatened to tear up their memberships and turn their back on the game if Slater is denied the farewell he craves.
Melbourne are expected to fly to Sydney on Wednesday ahead of Sunday's grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
Jahrome Hughes looms as the logical choice to wear the No.1 jersey should Slater lose his appeal.
"I haven't even thought about that one yet but he would be the obvious choice," Bellamy said.
Local QC Chris Townshend has also been recruited to help Ghabar compile the defence for one of the most talked-about judiciary hearings in years.
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