Billy Slater’s dad Ron tips Queensland to win Origin series

BILLY Slater’s proud dad Ron confesses an Origin series without his superstar son may take some getting used to.

Billy and his father Ron Slater in his old dressing room where he played for the Innisfail Leprechauns. PICTURE: MARC MCCORMACK

BILLY Slater’s proud dad Ron confesses an Origin series without his superstar son may take some getting used to.

The Innisfail product has played 22 of the past 24 matches for Queensland, providing endless highlights throughout his side’s famous dynasty.

Ron was there to watch Game II at the MCG last year, a match which could yet prove the final Origin act of the full-back’s 27-game career.

Slater has been sidelined with a shoulder complaint for nearly a year, with only one aborted comeback for the Storm this season since.

With his son not on the field, Ron says he will watch tonight’s opening stoush at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium through a different set of eyes.

“I have seen maybe six or seven Origin games he’s played and I was there for his first and second,” he said.

“It’s not that I’m disinterested this time, but a bit of shine has come off it now he’s not there. But he’s still bobbing around on the sideline.

“I see he’s assistant coach now and they look after them there – he could come back fat as a pig after a week and won’t be able to ride a horse.”

Jokes aside, Ron says Billy has to consider his footballing future and the 32-year-old ­recently conceded a return in 2017 was no certainty.

“He is eager to get back,” Ron said.

“He can’t guarantee it but there’s a fair while to go and once pre-season starts he should be right.

“But buying broodmares, that will be his game after the footy, so if he can’t ride horses he’s buggered.

“If you have a 500kg racehorse wanting to take you away, you’ve got to have some muscle in your shoulder.”

Despite Slater’s absence, Ron is tipping Queensland to win in a tight first-up contest.

“State of Origin is State of Origin and you never know what it will throw up,” he said.

“If you play well on the night you are going to win, and if you’re half off, you’ll get beat.”

Originally published as Billy Slater’s dad Ron tips Queensland to win Origin series