Billy Slater of the Storm is applauded as he leaves the field after playing his final NRL match after being earlier booed by some sectors of the crowd.

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith hit out at the NRL grand final crowd for booing Billy Slater in his final game.

Sectors of the Stadium Australia audience gave Slater the raspberry on Sunday after he was cleared to play following a shoulder charge in the preliminary final against the Sharks.

That did not impress Smith, who told reporters he was disappointed at the reaction.

"There's no other way to say that.

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Cameron Spencer Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater reflects on his final NRL game after the grand final loss to the Roosters.

"He's only ever been someone or something good for our game.

"I think he deserved a bit more respect for that."

Slater got more respect from the media with Sydney Morning Herald rugby league writer Adrian Prozsenko hailing "the bloke carrying the second-most talked-about shoulder in the game".

Cameron Spencer Billy Slater offloads a pass against the Roosters.

He wrote: We may never see the likes of him again. The first lady of rugby league, Joyce Churchill, has described Slater the closest thing she has seen to her late, great husband Clive. On this occasion, he would not take home the Clive Churchill medal, nor another premiership win. However, in time, he will likely join 'The Little Master' in Immortality.

It may have been Slater's last game, but the majority of those at ANZ Stadium weren't glad to see him. Every time the fullback touched the ball, he was met with a straight line of Roosters defenders and a chorus of boos. Clearly the judiciary's decision not to rub him out for a shoulder charge was not as popular north of the border.

Debate will forever rage about whether Slater should have been allowed to take his place. Every time a player is forced to defend a similar-looking incident at Rugby League Central, the defence lawyer won't have to look far for a precedent.

It wasn't the first time Slater's shoulder almost forced him into premature retirement. There was a period not so long ago during which he played just eight games over two seasons, both of which ended when he had to go under the knife.

At the time he conceded "my body isn't equal with my mind", but history will show both were sharp.

The 35-year-old has won the Clive Churchill Medal, the Wally Lewis Medal, the Golden Boot, three Dally M fullback of the year awards, three premierships and countless Origin and Test victories. But perhaps his greatest achievement was fighting back from shoulder injuries that would have finished a lesser man, giving him the chance to add a premiership, reach the magical 300-game mark and further add to his legacy.

"I'm grateful for the career I've had and the friends I've made," Slater said after fulltime.

"What rugby league has done for me, it's taught me about a lot of things - selflessness and respect.

"I appreciate everything everyone has done for me."

In an era of outstanding custodians – Jarryd Hayne, Brett Stewart, Matt Bowen and Roger-Tuivasa-Sheck are among those to have marked up on him – Slater is the clearly the No.1. Now that it's over, historians and pundits can now start comparing him with the greats of the past.

In a badly beaten team, one beaten early in proceedings, Slater tried to spark his side. But the only time the Storm scored was off a misdirected Luke Keary pass, the only error in an otherwise blemish-free game from the Roosters half.

Whenever fit, Slater has owned the Australian No.1 jersey. With his career over, it is fitting the handover occurred at Allianz Stadium. James Tedesco was magnificent. He ran for more metres than any other player, was a threat every time he touched the ball and was again mistake free. In his first year at Bondi Junction, Tedesco has won an Origin series and a premiership.

At 11am on Monday, just as his Mad Monday is beginning to hum, he is all but certain to be named in Mal Meninga's team for the season-ending Tests.