NRL 2023: Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater reveals why he turned down Dragons coaching job
Maroons coach Billy Slater insists he never considered taking on the top job at St George Illawarra, reaffirming his commitment to Queensland and revealing his plans for the future.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Billy Slater has reaffirmed his commitment to Queensland in the face of a poaching bid from St George Illawarra and is open to a contract extension if new QRL boss Ben Ikin believes he is the right man for the Maroons.
As he prepares to launch his second campaign after last year’s Origin fairytale, Slater detailed his Queensland blueprint and why he is not ready to quit the Maroons amid a push for him to take charge of the struggling Dragons.
Slater also lauded the Queensland Rugby League’s appointment of Ikin as chief executive, saying the former Broncos head of football will be a valued sounding board in his quest for back-to-back Origin titles this season.
“As we get closer to Origin I, things will get more serious for me,” Queensland coach Slater said ahead of the 2023 series opener on May 31.
RED V RESCUE
Last month, the QRL came under attack for the services of Slater when the Dragons made a surprise poaching bid for the Maroons Origin legend.
Despite Slater having no head-coaching experience in the NRL, St George Illawarra bosses believed the 39-year-old could parlay his status as a Storm, Origin and Test legend into rebuilding the embattled Dragons.
The Red V never spoke to Slater personally, instead making inquiries with his management. The request was rejected. Slater, viewed as one of the sharpest minds in the code, says he is too committed to the Queensland Origin job to consider succeeding under-fire Dragons mentor Anthony Griffin.
“It was never something I worried about,” Slater said of the Dragons approach.
“One thing I have learnt over the past 20 years is to keep your head where your feet are and right now my feet are in a position to focus on the Queensland job.
“To be fair, I never heard about it (the Dragons’ interest) until I read about it in the paper.
“I am sure there were conversations with the people who help me, but it never got to me.
“Whatever happens in the future, happens down the track, but right now my concentration and commitment is on the Maroons for this year’s series. My focus won’t deviate away from that.
“I know where my focus needs to be now and that’s with the Queensland team.”
MAROONS FUTURE
Slater is contracted to Queensland for another three Origin games. The QRL have made preliminary moves to sign Slater to a new deal, but the Maroons mentor has put extension talks on hold until the completion of this year’s series.
His stance has sparked speculation Melbourne could pounce on Storm legend Slater as part of their succession plan for super coach Craig Bellamy, who is expected to stand down this year or at the end of 2024.
Slater is currently employed part-time at the Storm and few know Melbourne’s DNA like the champion fullback, who played 319 games for the club. But the off-contract Slater is relishing his role with Queensland and has not ruled out inking a new deal for 2024 and beyond.
“The one thing I have always felt is that if I’m the right person to coach Queensland, I will consider it (a new deal),” Slater said.
“The day that I’m not (the right person), I’m happy to walk away.
“I spent half my life at the Storm and I still try and contribute to that club and organisation, but I genuinely love making a contribution to my state and the responsibility that I hold with the Maroons.
“To be honest, I was surprised by the impact the job had on me. I didn’t think I would feel the way that I do about coaching Queensland.
“Nothing will ever replace being out there as a player and doing it, but when we won Game Three last year, I was never prouder to be involved with a Queensland team than in that game.
“As a coach, you help a group of young men achieve something for a higher priority and a bigger cause than yourself. We were really connected to that last year.
“I’m doing this job for Queensland’s best interests, not my best interests. I’m comfortable with that.
“If things don’t fit, the team and the state mean more to me than just holding a position. I am not there to have a job, I am there to do a duty for my state and the people of Queensland.”
SECOND-YEAR SYNDROME
Slater had a dream rookie series, outfoxing rival NSW coach Brad Fittler to clinch an epic 2-1 series boilover of the Blues.
It was no fluke. He may be a coaching greenhorn, but Slater assembled a coaching dream team. He employed Queensland Origin legends Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, while right-hand man Josh Hannay was vital with his knowledge of current NRL coaching methods as an assistant at Cronulla.
But his 31-game, 14-year journey as an Origin player has taught him that fairytales can turn into horror stories with a mere hint of complacency. Slater knows the Blues are stinging for success. He is taking nothing for granted.
“I know our challenges this year,” said Slater, who will sit down with Queensland selectors to choose their Origin I team next Sunday night.
“I am not naive enough to think that Queensland is immune to (defeat).
“We are also not immune to complacency.
“Given the celebration of last year, it was great, but it’s a different series for us this year and a different series for me to approach after the success of last year.
“We’re not immune to all the external noise, so we have to make sure we are on our game. NSW will be coming at us with an element of redemption and that’s something we need to be considering.
“I am still striving for us to get better. There are already things we are planning. We have sorted out our schedules and now it’s the type of players that I want and to build the habits in their game to make sure we’re successful again.”
REECE LIGHTNING
Slater faces the biggest selection decision of his Origin career - does he sack Game Three hero Kalyn Ponga and blood Broncos sensation Reece Walsh at fullback?
Maroons fullback Ponga has battled concussion issues and is playing at five-eighth for Newcastle, while there is a view Slater can no longer ignore whiz-kid Walsh, who has fired the Broncos to the top of the league.
“I have a lot of time for Reece,” said Slater, who invited Walsh to Camp Maroon last season as part of Queensland’s extended squad.
“First of all, he is a good person. He has got a bit of life about him, but I also see his quality of person. He is a respectful young bloke and he wants to be as good as he can be. That drive will set him in good stead for his whole career. He has that want to learn and that willingness to work hard and get better.
“We’ve always known he is talented. Opposition defenders are worried about Reece because of his speed. He puts a lot of indecision between the third defenders in and the centres and wingers. They just can’t handle his speed.
“But Kalyn is a brilliant player, he was one of our best players last year, if not our best.
“I’m keeping an open mind because injuries and suspensions can happen. Someone who you expect to be there might not be available in a couple of weeks.”
BIG BEN
New QRL CEO Ikin will officially start next week and one of his key tasks in the coming months will be to thrash out a Maroons contract extension for Slater.
Ikin played 17 Origin matches for the Maroons and Slater said the departed Broncos football boss will spearhead a new era for Queensland rugby league.
“I know Ben Ikin well enough and he will understand Queensland and the people he is representing,” Slater said.
“The QRL is a business and I understand that, but I see my role as representing Queensland people and I’m sure Ben would see his role in that way as well.
“Ben played for Queensland and he understands the game in our state, because there is more to running the QRL than just State of Origin.
“They have state competitions and pathways and Ben has a good understanding of his core business, which is football.
“He did a fantastic job at the Broncos. Ben was there two years and if you look at the Broncos when he started and where they are now, he has certainly contributed to that.
“I honestly can’t think of a better person to be the CEO of the Queensland Rugby League.
“It’s great to have him on board.”
BELLAMY DELAY GIVES DRAGONS UPPER HAND IN COACH TUG OF WAR
—Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
St George Illawarra have been handed the upper hand in the race for Jason Ryles after Melbourne chair Matt Tripp revealed he would continue to delay talks with potential coaching candidates out of respect for Craig Bellamy.
Amid rumours that Ryles’ manager George Mimis had flown to Melbourne this week to meet the Storm about his client, Tripp insisted he had held no formal discussions with prospective successors to Bellamy and would not do so until he heard from the Storm’s premiership-winning coach.
That has given the Dragons the inside running in their bid to convince Ryles to replace Anthony Griffin at the end of the season.
Bellamy is expected to resolve his future over the weekend and the smart money is on the Storm coach backing up next season.
The Storm mentor will meet his advisor Andrew Butler on Sunday to discuss his future and the sense is that he has changed his mind on retirement, leaving St George Illawarra with a free run at Ryles.
“Ryles is certainly on our radar, especially if Bellyache moves on,” Tripp said.
“But I am not starting the process until I know what is going on with Craig. I am in regular contact with George (Mimis) about a heap of stuff, but not this time around.”
While the Dragons are yet to formally interview any candidates they are of the belief that Ryles is still in contention for the top job. It is understood Ryles has been canvassing people in the game about the prospect of taking on the Dragons position.
The Dragons would be reluctant to hand any new coach a five-year deal without strict parameters including potential pay out clauses. The rookie coaching market shifted last year after the Tigers offered Cameron Ciraldo an unprecedented five year deal which was later matched by the Bulldogs.
Griffin’s final game in charge could be on Saturday night against the Cowboys. The Dragons have an all important board meeting on Tuesday where the coaching situation should be clarified. There is no doubt Griffin won’t coach beyond this year but there is uncertainty around how the rest of the year looks.
Griffin coached on in the final year at the Broncos when he knew Wayne Bennett was going to replace him at the end of 2015.
He has shown no lack of desire to have the team succeed despite the ongoing scrutiny on his position.
The Dragons have few contingency options available should Griffin be axed next week. Assistant coaches Ryan Carr and Ben Woolf are highly regarded and could share the top job in the short-term. The club also has experienced mentor Matt Elliott in their ranks with Elliott an option to mirror what the Bulldogs did with some success last year when Mick Potter replaced Trent Barrett.
Ben Hornby is the other leading candidate and he has enjoyed continued success at South Sydney. Hornby and Ryles still live in Wollongong.
On the off chance that Bellamy does decide to quit at season’s end, Ryles will be at the front of a queue that is likely to include Storm assistant Marc Brentnall, Gold Coast assistant Brett White and Canberra assistant Michael Maguire.
Brentnall is hugely respected within the Storm organisation, White spent much of his playing career at the club and Maguire is a former member of the coaching staff. However, the job will be Ryles’ to lose given his rising reputation as the game’s next coaching gun.
It may not matter if Bellamy opts to continue. After initially making noises that this would be his last year as an NRL coach, Bellamy has since opened the door to continue and some of his closest confidantes have suggested if he has any doubts, he should go on.
RED V TO ‘DEAD V’: ANGRY DRAGONS FANS’ PROTEST PLOT
—Fatima Kdouh
First George Youssif wanted to ‘Oust Doust’ and now the passionate St George Illawarra fanatic is calling for a clean out at the besieged club, claiming the ‘Red V is dead’.
Youssif and other disgruntled Dragons fans are planning a protest at next Friday’s clash against the Sydney Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Oval.
Former CEO Peter Doust, now a board member, is just one high-profile Dragons administrator to whom Youssif hopes fans will send a message in round 12.
Fearing the joint venture is heading for its first ever wooden spoon and with no clear direction forward, or even a coach for next season, Youssif said fans were fed up.
“We want to show the club we’ve had enough and it’s time for change. The mighty Red V has never been in this position before. If fans can see there is something wrong with the club, why can’t management,” Youssif said.
“Right now, it feels like the Red V is dead. The club is dead. The Red V is legendary and to see the club in its current state is very sad.”
Youssif is not only encouraging fans to use their voices but also bring their banners to the protest.
The lifelong Dragons fan is the man behind the infamous ‘Oust Doust’ banner, which he created back in 2009.
The banner could be making a comeback next weekend.
“When we won the comp in 2010 I promised to burn the ‘Oust Doust’ banner, and I did. Will there be a new one at the protest? Stay tuned,” Youssif said.
“We will keep the banners professional. It’ll be along the lines of ‘sack the board’, ‘bring back the pride of the league’.”
COACHING CONUNDRUM
Youssif said the club had failed in not having a succession plan for Anthony Griffin.
Griffin was handed an extension for 2023 but is facing the axe after the side slumped to just two wins from nine games.
“What gets us fans going is not knowing why they extended Griffin for another year if they knew he wasn’t going to be there. Why wasn’t there a succession plan?,” Youssif said.
“Any talk from the club on this is just a smokescreen, to say ‘stay calm, we are interviewing new coaches’.
“We’ve now lost to cellar dwellers Tigers and Bulldogs, now we are the new cellar dwellers.
“So, if they had a coach, they would have sacked Griffin.”
JOBS FOR THE BOYS
The side has had five coaches since 2010, when Wayne Bennett led the club to a title, and have made two finals appearances in the last 10 years.
Griffin was told he needed to reapply for the head coach role beyond this season.
A number of other high-profile candidates like Shane Flanagan and Des Hasler have been discussed for the role, along with assistant coaches Ben Hornby, Dean Young and Jason Ryles, who have all played in famous Red V.
But Youssif has warned against blooding a rookie coach, pleading with the club to choose experience over sentiment.
“If we are going down the path of choosing jobs for the boys, like your Hornbys and Youngs … we don’t want that. I personally think the board had no idea what direction to go, they are just telling fans what they want to hear,” Youssif said.
“Shane Flanagan is a successful coach with premiership credentials.
“He took the Sharks from wooden spooners to premiers. He knows what it takes.
“Young and Hornby are legends of the club, fans will never forget their contribution.
“But bringing in past players doesn’t always work.”
BOARD BLOCKING
Flanagan was an assistant to Paul McGregor and briefly the club’s list manager.
Youssif took a swipe at Doust over reports he is against the idea of Flanagan taking over from Griffin, given the former Cronulla coach’s ban from the game.
“Doust did end up getting (Wayne) Bennett to the club but still made the mistake of not giving him a longer deal,” Youssif said.
“There have always been issues with his short and long-term decision making.
“Now he’s on the board, he’s making the call on whether Flanno is right for the club. The other board members should stand up to him.
“Flanno isn’t perfect, but his ban is over. He who is without sin cast the first stone. He deserves the chance.
“People like Doust have played his part at the club, and failed, it’s time to move on from him.
“There are too many dinosaurs at the club.”
FOOTY REBUILD
Youssif wants the club to take a leaf out of the Canterbury Bulldogs’ rebuild book and start by
appointing an experienced head of football, like Phil Gould at Belmore.
An influential figure that can attract talent and strengthen pathways.
“Shane Richardson, he was a spearhead in South Sydney’s 2014 premiership. He attracted the players, the sponsorships and the club haven’t gone backwards since then,” Youssif said.
“We can use someone like him.
“Look at the Bulldogs, attracting players and the corporate dollar. They had to start from the GM down. It’s crucial you have the right people that are business minded and a history of success.
“We have been the same basket case since 2012, and it’s getting worse.
“Our CEO Ryan Webb is a real professional but everyone around him, they are failing him.”
PROTEST ACTION
Youssif is hoping Dragons fans come out in force next week, regardless of the result on Saturday against North Queensland.
“One win doesn’t change anything. It’s like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound, it doesn’t fix anything. We’ve been in a rebuilding phase since 2012 when Bennet left us. The decisions made since then … enough is enough,” Youssif said.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.
NRL pull late schedule change because of AFL
The NRL has reportedly pulled a late finals scheduling switch to avoid a clash with the AFL, leaving two clubs hard done by.