Cooper Cronk says the Melbourne Storm can get better in 2017 with Billy Slater returning at fullback and Cameron Munster making the switch to five-eighth as Blake Green heads off to Manly-Warringah.

“Billy Slater is still the best fullback in the game and I know as a person and an athlete he will do everything possible and I’m backing him to come back and play his best football,” Cronk said at a presentation in Melbourne.

Cronk also said the heartbreaking grand final loss to Cronulla wouldn’t go away in a hurry.

“It will probably sit with me for 12 months until we get another opportunity,” Cronk added.

“You can use it as motivation in the pre-season to get out and have a red-hot crack and see where you end up next October.”