Cooper Cronk has backed forgotten man Billy Slater to come back stronger than ever next season and prove hes still the worlds best fullback.Cronk, who was named Four Nations man of the series after helping Australia recapture their world No.1 ranking from New Zealand early on Monday said his long-time Melbourne teammate is champing at the bit to get back out on the field after a shoulder injury ended his 2016 season.In Slaters absence Darius Boyd has excelled in the No.1 jersey for both Australia and Queensland and was named man of the match for his display in the 38-4 final win over New Zealand.Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga also said the spine of Boyd, Cronk, skipper Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston was the best he had ever seen in any team in his long career.However, Cronk said it was premature to write Slater off from the international scene, despite the champion fullback turning 34 next June.Hes one of the greatest fullbacks ever to play the game, Cronk said.Ive seen his battles, his progress and his battles and struggles over the last couple of years.Not to put any pressure on him as he will forge his own path.But if I was a gambling man then I would say Billy Slater will be back to his best any time soon.Cronks award caps off brilliant individual year for the halfback who was was also named joint Dally M Medal winner alongside Kiwi powerhouse Jason Taumalolo.It could have been a little bit nicer if we had won the grand final, Cronk said.But its been a good year personally and to win this is a fitting send off.Stitched Jazz Jerseys . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Utah Jazz Shirts . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. https://www.cheapjazzonline.com/ . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Wholesale Jazz Jerseys .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Jazz Jerseys 2021 . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1.MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks have rewarded centre Larry Sanders for his breakout season with a multiyear contract extension. General manager John Hammond announced the deal Tuesday in a statement. Terms were not announced. The 6-foot-11 Sanders had career-highs of 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds last season. His 2.8 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA, and he had a stretch of 40 straight games with a block. "Larry has developed into one of the top young defensive players in the league," Hammond said. "He is a very important part of what we are doing in Milwaukee." Sanders, the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, is considered part of thee core for the retooling Bucks, who traded Brandon Jennings (17.dddddddddddd5 points) to the Pistons last month for point guard Brandon Knight (13.1 points). Other off-season moves by the busy Bucks included acquiring free-agent guards O.J. Mayo and Gary Neal, and drafting 18-year-old Greek phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. The Bucks finished 38-44 last season before being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual reigning two-time champion Miami Heat. Former Hawks coach Larry Drew is now the new boss in Milwaukee. Besides the 24-year-old Sanders, the other few Bucks returnees include John Henson, Ish Smith and Epke Udoh. ' ' '