'One of the greats': The amazing try that announced Slater's arrival

For all who witnessed Billy Slater’s incredible State of Origin try for Queensland in game two of the 2004 series – it was clear a star was born in the world of rugby league.

However, few could have predicted that the then-20-year-old Maroons winger would go on to become on the of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

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The former track work jockey launched himself into league superstardom with a stunning piece of individual brilliance that would go down in Origin folklore.

Running off the shoulder of legendary Maroons teammate Darren Lockyer, Slater latched onto the Queensland five-eight’s grubber kick before leaving spectators gobsmacked with an astonishing follow-up play.

The speedster scooped up the ball, stepped off his left foot and ran at Blues fullback Anthony Minichiello, before turning the New South Wales custodian inside-out with an audacious chip kick towards the opposition in-goal.

Slater won the sprint to the footy, regathered and touched down to lift the proverbial roof off a parochial Suncorp Stadium.

“He’s over! Billy Slater has scored one of the great Origin tries,” legendary commentator Ray Warren exclaimed at the time.

Slater’s genius would help the Maroons go on to claim game two to level the series at 1-1, before going down in the Sydney decider.

Fourteen years on, Slater’s try is still regarded by many as the greatest individual efforts ever seen on the State of Origin arena.

The heartbreak of losing that 2004 series would be erased by the eight Origin series Slater would go on to win with the Maroons across 31 matches for his state.

Slater’s emotional retirement announcement on Wednesday provided a reminder about just how much the Melbourne Storm legend has achieved in rugby league.

Few need reminding about the try that launched one of the undisputed greats of the game.