Cherrypicker selected for representative duties

Slater’s selection in the Country team came as a surprise to the damaging prop who struggled with injury during the recruitment process.

Although not being selected for the Group Nine representative team, a last minute call-up into the Riverina squad meant Slater would play only one of four games. 

All the while pushing through a calf injury.

Despite the hurdles the 21-year-old went on to be selected for the Country Bulls side.

“[I was] pretty excited,” he said. 

“I didn’t expect it because I only played one game with the Riverina team, so I didn’t really expect to be selected.”

Slater can now look forward to travelling and playing at a higher level early next month.

“It’d be nice to go further with it, there could be some important people watching,” he said.

Slater - who in the past has trialed with the Bulldogs, played in the Group Nine representative team and Academy development squad  - said this would take the cake in terms of being his biggest achievement.

He now becomes part of a small group of Cherrypickers who have been selected for the honour, including Young Junior Rugby League Club president Nick Hall in 2002 and 2003, Geoff Sell in the ‘90s, and Brent Crisp and Ben McAlpine in the last five years.

“It’s a pretty rare thing and hard to get into,” Hall said. 

“It’s something he should be very proud of and it’s well deserved.

“As president of juniors we’re very proud of him for coming through our system and getting up to represent Young - the town should be proud of him.”

Slater will head to Perth on July 11 for a five-day training camp before the Country Bulls team take on Western Australia at NIB Stadium, Perth on Saturday, July 16.

It will be a curtain raiser to the NRL clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and New Zealand Warriors.