Billy Slater believes that the only way Reece Walsh or Ryan Papenhuyzen can set the grand final alight is if their teammates build a “foundation” early in the game.

The star fullbacks will have all eyes on them once the game kicks off on Sunday night, but Slater – arguably the best No.1 in history – explained what it will take for them to shine.

“This is probably the match-up that everyone is looking forward to,” he said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast. 

“I’ve worked with both of these guys and I’ve got a great relationship with both. I think the team that actually builds their foundation better will give their fullback the advantage. 

“The team that doesn’t build their foundation and makes a few errors early in the game and puts themselves under pressure and do a lot of defence, it’s gonna be hard for that fullback to get into the game. 

“Both of these fullbacks are electric, they are two of the players that will want to try something and pull something out and often, it actually works.”

Slater also gave praise to Walsh for the way he has handled pressure moments late in the season, especially when halfback Adam Reynolds was sidelined.

“Reece Walsh is probably the form player in the competition over the last two months and the most dangerous player,” he said.

“He’s just got to get the footy in his hands and get in the right positions, which is what he’s been doing. 

“I think the maturity in Reece Walsh has been evident over the last couple of months. He has really stood up into that leadership role within the footy team. 

“He’s playing as confident as I’ve seen him play and he’s the one who is really contributing to the points in the footy team.”