Billy Slater

The Clive Churchill Medallist has signed a one-year extension to his Storm contract, meaning he will return for one more time around the sun in 2018.

Melbourne announced the news on their official website on Tuesday night.

"We are delighted that Billy has made the decision to pull on the purple jersey again in 2018," Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said.

"He has been a champion of this club and NRL for over a decade so it is fantastic for the game as a whole that Billy will be back on the field next year.

Soliola was on Tuesday night suspended for five games for the dangerous contact that knocked Slater out.

Evidence from Melbourne's head medical official, Dr Jason Chan, claimed the Maroons fullback was "unconscious before he hit the ground".

"Billy knew he was in Canberra, but not that he was at GIO Stadium or why he was there," the report said.

"He had no recollection of previous two weeks. Not aware he had played State of Origin, or that he had injured his ankle that week."

The 33-year-old is focused on returning to his superstar form after making his comeback from two long injury-plagued years.

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The 33-year-old is focused on returning to his superstar form after making his comeback from two long injury-plagued years.

"(Cronk's decision) is a totally separate issue to me," Slater said. "This won't determine what I'll do next year and I haven’t really thought about that.

"I've been lucky to be down here for 15 years now. I've brought up a young family down here.

"I'm just enjoying playing football again. I've had three games under my belt now and hopefully I'll get many more before I have to make that decision."

‌Slater has been tipped to return against the Broncos on Thursday night after over a year out of the game because of a shoulder injury. 

Though Slater himself revealed less than a month ago he was no certainty to return, Smith is very confident his fullback will be back.

"The good news is Billy Slater will play this year," Smith told The Courier-Mail.

"I don’t have an exact date, but it will be earlier rather than later — the good thing is that the fans will see Billy Slater back on the field again.

"The coaches as far as I know haven’t put any pressure on him to be fit for round one, we’d love him to be there but if he feels he’s not right to go, it’s his decision."

But Storm assistant Adam O'Brien says it "won't be the end of the world" if the veteran fullback misses the start of the NRL season.

Melbourne are hopeful off-contract Slater can finally overcome a second straight shoulder reconstruction this season.

The Storm won't risk the 33-year-old in February's Auckland Nines, with a shoulder injury limiting the former Australian and Queensland star to eight games in two years.

With Billy Slater set to return from injury to reclaim the fullback role, Munster will be given first crack at the No.6 jersey vacated by Blake Green who signed with Manly.

While his experience as playmaker is limited to junior football, the grand finalists believe the 22-year-old will be a natural.

"He's a very good athlete but he's an out-and-out footballer and that's why we're very confident he's going to make the transition," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.