Rookie Maroons coach Billy Slater has plenty of depth backing him up
Newly appointed Maroons coach Billy Slater may be a rookie coach, but he has an enviable cast of close mates to bring in as back up.
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Newly minted Queensland coach Billy Slater has reached out to Origin legend Cameron Smith and believes the Maroons have the talent to bring down a NSW dynasty.
Slater has officially been appointed as Queensland’s State of Origin coach until at least the end of the 2023 series.
A 31-game Origin great, Slater will become Queensland’s 13th head coach and replaces Paul Green after this year’s 2-1 series loss.
The Maroons role will be Slater’s first elite head coaching job since he retired from playing in 2018, following a 319-game NRL career with the Melbourne Storm in which he became arguably the game’s greatest ever fullback.
An experienced mentor like three-time Queensland coach Wayne Bennett is expected to provide guidance for Slater and the Maroons’ support staff is also set for an overhaul.
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Slater is very close to former Storm teammate Smith, the greatest Origin player of all-time with a record 42 appearances for Queensland.
Smith is expected to join Camp Maroon in some capacity and Slater said he would be looking to assemble a gun support unit in the coming months.
“We’ve had some private discussions – I’m very close to Cam,” he said.
“In terms of official approaches, I haven’t spoken to anyone. I thought if I’m going to lead this team it’s important for me to commit first.
“Over the next few months we’ll put together a team around this footy side. We will have in mind what’s going to best equip the team to prepare and be at their best.
“There are a number of candidates to be in and around this side, whether they’re mentors, support staff or assistant coaches.
“We’ve got plenty to choose from. Hopefully we can get a great squad together and a great support staff to put around them.”
Slater, 38, jumps into the Maroons hot seat following one of the most tumultuous series in Queensland’s 41-year Origin history.
The Maroons suffered their worst ever defeat in Game One (50-6 in Townsville) before being held scoreless at Suncorp Stadium (26-0) for the first time to surrender the shield within two matches.
Camp Maroon was plagued by controversy like the Ronaldo Mulitalo eligibility saga and Jai Arrow’s Covid breach, with a face-saving Game Three win (20-18) avoiding a clean sweep.
With the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Nathan Cleary set for decade-long careers in the Blues jersey, NSW has the ingredients to dominate Origin for the foreseeable future.
But Slater is confident the Maroons have the talent to match the Blues if he fosters an environment which brings out the best in Queensland.
“Queensland has never had the numbers to pick from like NSW,” he said.
“But we feel our best (players) at our best is good. I’m very comfortable with that.
“My job is to get our best players playing their best football in that arena. That will be a challenge for myself and the coaching staff.
“We’ve got some great players in the development systems and emerging players already playing in the NRL. The QRL are looking to put in a structure in and around those pathways and development.
“My job is to select the best players and play our best. What’s happened in the past has happened. I’ll leave it there and focus on where we can build for the future.
“I wasn’t part of the coaching staff this year or previous years. We’ll just build on what we’ve got.”
Slater has played under some of the game’s greatest coaches like Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and Mal Meninga, who guided Queensland to nine series wins.
He isn’t sure what type of coach he will be but is certain Queensland’s performances are his responsibility.
“The buck stops with the head coach and I’m more than comfortable to be in that position,” he said.
“There’s debate about all things like selections, tactics. The players have a lot of say in the way we play as well.
“We’re dealing with the best players in the world. They need to believe in their game plan.
“This will be very much player-driven. The coaches will set up a framework and structure but the players need to buy in and own it. It’s got to be theirs.
“I’ll evolve as a coach. I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with some great coaches at NRL and State of Origin level and seen them evolve.
“It’s really important for me to be me. I can’t pretend to be a coach I’ve been coached by.
“It’s important I bring my strengths and make sure I’m supported by people around me.
“I’ll bring a work ethic and passion. I feel I know the game as well as I’ve ever known it. Hopefully that’ll put me in good stead.”
OFFICIAL! SLATER ANSWERS QUEENSLAND ORIGIN SOS
Billy Slater will launch his Origin coaching career next season after answering an SOS from the Queensland Rugby League to spearhead the Maroons’ fightback.
News Corp can reveal the QRL have got their man with Slater inking a two-year deal to coach the Maroons until the end of 2023 and bring down the NSW dynasty being constructed by his Blues rival Brad Fittler.
The QRL will formally announce Slater as Paul Green’s successor on Friday morning in the lead-up to the Manly-Souths NRL preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.
It is understood Slater has yet to put the finishing touches on his team of assistants, although he would have support from QRL powerbrokers for fellow Storm legend Cameron Smith to return to Camp Maroon for a coaching cameo.
The QRL is also exploring whether to install a senior mentor for Slater, with Wayne Bennett touted as one option after the ARL Commission blocked Australia coach Mal Meninga helping the Maroons.
The one certainty is Slater is locked in to make his Queensland coaching debut.
The 38-year-old is one of Queensland’s greatest players, amassing 31 games during a stellar 14-year Origin career, and was a key member of the mighty Maroons dynasty which won a record nine series in 10 years under Meninga.
Now the QRL are hoping Slater can parlay his brilliance as Queensland’s greatest fullback to the coaching sphere as the Maroons look to hit back following three series losses in four campaigns.
Slater’s media employer Channel 9, who also have Fittler on their books, have given the green light for the Storm icon to take charge of the Maroons.
On Monday, Slater made it clear he had no desire to become a full-time NRL coach, but believes he can succeed in the Origin arena after playing a mentoring role in his twilight years at the Melbourne Storm.
“I coach now to a degree,” Slater told Sydney radio station 2GB.
“I am still involved with the Melbourne Storm and I have been since I retired.
“I have coached individuals.
“When you are a player at the back end of your career, you are always a coach in and among your team.
“Your players do a lot of coaching these days and they have a lot to say about how you play and what you want to do.
“So there are different ways to coach. You look at Craig Bellamy to Wayne Bennett to Ivan Cleary, I’m sure they have different philosophies on coaching.
“Do I want to coach (in the NRL)?
“I don’t have an ambition to be an NRL coach, no.”
Slater will walk into Camp Maroon next season and command instant respect from current Queensland players.
The former Test fullback has worked with a number of Maroons stars in recent years, including Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh, and the group valued his tactical knowledge garnered during a decorated 319-game, premiership-winning NRL career.
Slater is known for his work ethic and forensic analysis and the fierce competitor in him will relish the prospect of bringing down the Blues.
Asked if he is ready to coach in the code’s toughest arena, Slater said: “In terms of being ready, when are you ready?
“Are you ready to play in a final? Are you ready to play State of Origin?
“You know when you get there.”
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