Billy Slater has declared Melbourne’s spinal restructure a success, lauding Ryan Papenhuyzen as a future NRL star.

The Storm will go into the final starting next week as one of the form teams of the competition, with arguably the most dominant regular season in decades.

However, it has come with coach Craig Bellamy shifting Melbourne’s spine in the final weeks, including halfback Brodie Croft being axed just last month.

That has allowed two natural runners in Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster to play in the halves, and give Papenhuyzen a chance to star at fullback.

Bellamy made a similar move in his halves last year before returning Croft for the finals; but Slater said he believed the Storm had now found their best combination.

“I’m not surprised (they’ve made the change so late),” Slater told Nine Network’s Sunday Footy Show.

“When you have got a guy like Cameron Smith, who makes the first decision every time the ball is played, you can afford to have two runners.

“And Hughes is a creative player. We know what Cameron Munster brings to the team.

“I think it’s more the fact Papenhuyzen has demanded a spot in the team. He’s just electric and gives a point of difference.”

Papenhuyzen was third in line to replace Slater when he retired at the end of last year, but has forced his way into the No.1 jersey with a spellbinding season.

After debuting off the bench, Papenhuyzen has scored five tries in six games in in which he has started at fullback and notched up nine line breaks.

He has topped 200 running metres in all but one game – where he registered 199 – and has been a nightmare to stop busting through 35 would-be tacklers.

“He’s got a huge future. This is only his first year in first grade. He’s waited for his opportunity,” Slater said.

“His going to develop his game. At the moment his strength is running the football with his speed. He is fearless when he takes on the line.

“And he’s going to get better at his passing game and combine with his hooker and halves the more he develops his game.”