Billy Slater eyes move to five-eighth for the Melbourne Storm Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater. IT WORKED for Darren Lockyer at the Broncos, and now Melbourne could follow suit by switching the NRL's premier fullback Billy Slater to five-eighth. Storm coach Craig Bellamy will give the club a glimpse of the future tomorrow night when youngster Ben Hampton makes his NRL debut at five-eighth against the Gold Coast Titans at Robina in round 15. The north Queenslander is one of several options to wear the No.6 jersey from next year after premiership five-eighth Gareth Widdop links with St George Illawarra. Melbourne is determined to replace from within and Bellamy could do far worse than experiment with Slater (pictured) at pivot. The Storm boss has a history of tinkering, having tried Australia and Queensland hooker Cameron Smith at five-eighth for several games in 2009 before shelving the left-field plan. Slater already performs many of the playmaking duties for his club. He has clean hands, a slick passing game and can create space for others. Asked during the Maroons' Origin build-up if he would consider a switch, Slater did not rule it out. "I probably play a bit of first receiver anyway," Slater said. We'll have to weigh up our options and I'm sure Ben Hampton will be one of them. We've got some good young kids coming through so whether Craig opts for one of them or goes another way, I'm not too sure. Slater's Storm, Queensland and Australia teammate Cooper Cronk agreed it was "not a bad idea" but insisted it was a decision to be made at the end of this year. "It's a long way away," the halfback said. The process has already begun with the first sample of Hampton's ability to be seen against the Titans.