BILLY Slater has recounted one of the most difficult weeks of his NRL career, revealing the intense torment he felt in grand final week last year.

After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in round one, Slater had plenty of time to become accustomed to life on the sidelines in 2016 but nothing could prepare him for the envy he felt watching his teammates prepare for the big dance.

Speaking immediately after his match-winning preliminary final performance against the Broncos, the champion fullback admitted he had to give himself a pep talk to snap himself out of a “selfish” mindset that overcame him for a couple of days, so he could be a more positive influence around the team leading up to their grand final clash with the Sharks.

“Very difficult. I remember one of the most awkward photos I’ve ever had was the grand final photo, I think it was on the Tuesday, and I honestly didn’t want to go,” Slater said.

Round 20

“But I was a part of the team and I had to suck it up and go and get the photo but it was very awkward going into that room and going to get that photo done.

‘COLD HEARTED’: CRONK BOTTLING-UP BIG DECISION

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL NOW trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

Billy Slater sits injured in the 2016 grand final team photo. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

“ ... I felt the first few days of the week were really tough and I didn’t really know how to approach it.

“To be honest, there was one moment I was actually driving in the car with my wife and I just thought to myself, basically stop being selfish and thinking about myself.

“I had the opportunity to help the team and from that moment I wanted to do everything possible to help the team prepare and I felt I did that from that moment on.”

Slater’s change of mood wasn’t enough to turn the result for his side, with Melbourne falling agonisingly short as the Sharks triumphed for their first premiership win by two points.

No one will ever know if things would have been different had Slater been fit but he’s determined to ensure grand final heartbreak doesn’t hit his club for a second consecutive season.

Billy Slater awaits the 2016 GF team photo with his kids Jake and Tyla Rose. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

It’s a triumph of body and mind that Slater, now 34, is even back on the field at NRL level, let alone playing at a standard worthy of one of the greatest players to ever grace his position.

With the preliminary final on a knife’s edge early in the second half, the veteran was one of the difference makers, scoring two crucial tries to give his extraordinary club another opportunity for grand final glory.

On the cusp of a massive personal achievement, Slater reflected on a torturous 24 months as he went through multiple surgeries on his left shoulder and was forced into two long stints of rehabilitation.

While he never gave up the fight to return to the field and refused to consider hanging up the boots, Slater admitted he had doubts that his shoulder would ever again be strong enough to cope with the rigours of professional rugby league.

Billy Slater celebrates with Suliasi Vunivalu and Will Chambers after a prelim final try vs Brisbane. Source: Getty Images

“Did I know I was going to get back? No. I honestly didn’t know,” Slater said.

“I didn’t know if my shoulder was going to let me or get strong enough to play in the NRL again, but I was certainly willing to give it a crack and it’s certainly fulfilling those enjoyments now and it’s all worth it.

“It was a long road. I remember only a couple of weeks after last year’s grand final I was still training, I didn’t stop training.

“I suppose the good thing about it, and people might be surprised that I’m 34 and think people usually lose their speed and their agility and all that sort of stuff, but I still had me legs and I was still able to improve in some areas of my game, so I was training a couple of weeks after the grand final last year and I just didn’t want that opportunity to slip and when I did get my chance I was going to be ready.

“ ... Injuries are part of the game, everyone goes through them at different stages and I’ve had my fair share. I suppose they certainly test you mentally. And I was tested mentally as much as anyone else.

“ ... I was never going to give up. I didn’t know what my body was thinking but my mind certainly was never giving up.”