Queensland Origin coach: Slater backed by former teammate

A former State of Origin teammate and fellow Far North Queensland product believes Billy Slater is the man for the Queensland Maroons’ head coaching job.

A former State of Origin teammate and fellow Far North Queensland product believes Billy Slater is the man for the Queensland Maroons’ head coaching job.

Dallas Johnson made his NRL debut alongside Slater in the Melbourne Storm’s opening match of the 2003 season, and went on to play seven seasons alongside the champion fullback at the club.

The pair, who shared a bond over their regional roots in the Far North – Johnson is from Herberton and Slater from Innisfail – also represented Queensland together.

Johnson said Slater’s passion and knowledge for the game made him an ideal candidate to step in to the Maroons’ hot seat.

Billy Slater and Dallas Johnson. The Queensland State of Origin team at a signing session in the Queen Street Mall in 2008. Pic: Peter Wallis

“I think Bill’s reputation speaks for itself,” he said.

“He’s achieved everything there is in the game, he’s the best fullback that’s probably ever played the game and he’s obviously a very astute footballer with a very astute knowledge of the game.

“When you sit down and talk to him about the game, you really realise how passionate he is about it and how much knowledge he has around it – you don’t achieve what he’s achieved unless you know a bloody lot about the game.

“In regards to the Queensland job, I think he’d do a fantastic job.

2007 NRL Grand Final. Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles. Telstra Stadium. Cooper Cronk, Dallas Johnson and Billy Slater celebrate

“He’s got the presence, the passion, the motivation – I think he’d be fantastic for the State of Origin team and I’m sure he’d be able to leverage on a few mates that he’s got beside him to help him out as well, obviously Cam (Cameron Smith) and Johnno (Johnathan Thurston) and guys like that.”

Johnson believed Slater would make a natural mentor.

“He was doing it towards the end of the his career at the Storm,” he said.

“You could see him coaching from fullback during games – obviously Origin’s a different level, but I think he’d do a bloody good job.”

Originally published as Queensland Origin coach: Slater backed by former teammate