Forget about Game Three or even this weekend, there is every chance we might not see Billy Slater again this season.
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The star fullback did little to play down the severity of his troublesome shoulder following the Maroons Game Two loss to NSW on Wednesday night.
Slater is set to meet Storm medical staff on Thursday to discuss the injury.
That meeting will determine the appropriate course of treatment for Slater's left shoulder that has already seen him miss five games this season since suffering the injury back in Round 5.
There has been speculation for several weeks now that season-ending surgery was a real possibility.
Speaking after the Maroons' 28-16 loss to NSW on Wednesday night, Slater was realistic with what news may come his way in the next 24 hours.
"I'll have a chat to the medical staff. We've already sourced a few other opinions and we'll decide what we'll do from there," Slater said.
"Everyone knows I've got a shoulder issue and there are a few different things that are involved in it.
"We'll look at it tomorrow and determine what is best for myself and the club moving forward."
It has been nearly a month since Slater last played for Melbourne, back in Round 10 against the Rabbitohs. For a man who prides himself on playing for his club, state and country, that is significant.
While he managed to play the first two games the Origin series it now appears that D-day has arrived for the 31-year-old.
Slater, who is off-contract at season's end, was already forced to undergo surgery over the summer on his opposite shoulder that plagued him throughout last season.
The Storm will be praying for good news when the champion fullback sits down with club medicos on Thursday.
Should the diagnosis not fall their way it will be trying times for Melbourne who are already facing at least another week without creative playmaker Cooper Cronk.
