State of Origin 2022: Maroons sack Neil Henry as assistant, sign Josh Hannay

There’s no room for sentiment in Billy Slater’s Queensland makeover as the new coach looks to stamp his authority early and make the role his own.

Wayne Bennett. Queensland vs. New South Wales during game 3 of the State of Origin series in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis

One of Queensland’s greatest assistants Neil “King” Henry has been axed as new Maroons mentor Billy Slater turns to fresh blood to lead the state’s State of Origin fightback next season.

News Corp can reveal Henry will not return to Camp Maroon in 2022 with the former right-hand man to Mal Meninga and Wayne Bennett to help oversee a coaching-and-mentoring program with the Queensland Rugby League.

Henry has carved out a reputation as one of the finest deputies in Origin’s 41-year history.

He won four consecutive crowns between 2006-09 as an assistant to Meninga during Queensland’s golden decade, then tasted success again last year after being recalled by Bennett to help plot NSW’s downfall in the Maroons’ epic 2020 series triumph.

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The Maroons have parted ways with assistant Neil Henry, as new coach Billy Slater looks toward the future. Picture: Getty Images.

Henry, who enjoyed head-coaching roles at Canberra, the Cowboys and Titans, also served as an assistant to Paul Green this year in Queensland’s turbulent 2-1 series loss to the Blues.

But Slater is moving in a different direction, with the rookie Queensland coach having appointed Josh Hannay as his assistant next year, while Origin champions Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith are expected to appear in Camp Maroon.

Queensland Rugby League chief executive Rohan Sawyer confirmed he is keen to retain the services of Henry as part of the organisation’s State of Origin program.

“I caught up with Neil on Monday,” Sawyer said.

“We are building a coaching panel and mentoring program which will work with guys like Neil Henry and we’re hoping to have Wayne and Mal involved across it.

“It’s essentially about working from under-13s all the way through to the Origin program.

“There will be a panel of coaches used to be experts in that space.

“The coach development framework we delivered last year will be key for us. We’ve got a coach seminar in November with nearly 300 coaches from around the state coming in.

“If we don’t have good coaches we won’t produce good players.

“We are very focused we’re getting quality people to help coach the coaches.”

Slater has no issue with Henry but has been impressed with the rise of Hannay after serving as an interim coach in 2019 and 2020. Picture: Getty Images.

Henry has played a pivotal role in Queensland’s most dominant period in Origin history. The 60-year-old was the tactical brain behind the Meninga-coached Maroons juggernaut which won nine series in 10 years.

Bennett also tapped into Henry’s experience, methodical planning and strategic mind to help Queensland pull off a stunning series boilover of the Blues with 14 Origin debutants last November.

It is understood Slater has no issue with Henry, but was impressed by the development of Hannay, who almost steered Cronulla to the finals this year following the sacking of John Morris.

“Josh has an intelligent football mind,” Slater told News Corp a fortnight ago.

“He’s a Queenslander, he’s pulled on the Maroons jersey and adds a whole heap of value to the group.

“He’s had NRL experience at two clubs leading the team and I don’t think he is too far away leading his own team in the NRL in the near future.”

Sharks assistant Josh Hannay will also join the Maroons coaching staff. Picture: Getty Images.

Bennett, meanwhile, is no certainty to join Henry in Queensland’s mentoring program.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher has held informal dialogue with Bennett, but the newly-minted Dolphins coach remains uncertain about his future role in the Maroons’ system.

“I haven’t committed to anything at this stage,” Bennett said.

“Bruce may have some plans for me but I haven’t committed to anything at this point.

“I will see what happens.”

BENNY’S BACK! BLUES’ WORST ORIGIN NIGHTMARE REALISED

Wayne Bennett is on the verge of returning to the Queensland Origin team after the Dolphins gave the green light for their new coach to help Billy Slater’s Maroons revival.

News Corp can reveal the Queensland Rugby League will begin formal talks with Bennett this week about a mentoring role ahead of the 2022 State of Origin series.

After replacing Paul Green as Queensland’s Origin coach, Slater has given his blessing for the QRL to appoint Bennett in a support role.

Wayne Bennett orchestrated Queensland’s memorable 2020 Origin series win.

Bennett, 71, last week inked a four-year contract to become the Dolphins NRL expansion franchise’s foundation coach.

But with the Dolphins not entering the league until 2023, the door is open for Bennett to help Slater rebuild the Maroons following this year‘s disappointing series loss to NSW.

Bennett has had three stints coaching the Maroons, the most recent being a one-series cameo in 2020 where he orchestrated one of Queensland’s greatest-ever series victories.

While Bennett has dodged speculation about a return to the Origin arena, QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said he had been in constant dialogue with the seven-time premiership winner and talks would ramp up this week following the Dolphins deal being finalised.

“I’ve got a pretty strong relationship with Wayne and we have very regular dialogue,” Hatcher said.

“When you’ve finished a season and had a tough season like Souths had, going within a sniff of winning a premiership, they deserve a bit of a break.

“I’ve said to him when he’s ready to have a chat, give us a yell. We are having a chat this week.

Billy Slater has the benefit of some excellent assistants.

“He is always welcome. We are very lucky now that we’ve got some of the best and brightest people in the game available to us in some form or another and we are going to utilise those talents because they’ve got a lot to offer and are willing to help.

“Wayne, Mal (Meninga) and Gene Miles are a few guys who we will look to create an advisory committee with.

“Wayne has got more job offers than you can poke a stick at. He has always put himself out for us. He will help in some shape or form. It’s just got to fit in with his other commitments.

“He has started immediately with Redcliffe and you wouldn’t be surprised if a new club wanted him to concentrate on them.”

But that won’t be the case.

While Bennett has already started putting together the foundations of the Dolphins, the Redcliffe-based club is supportive of him helping the Origin team in 2022.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said Bennett’s involvement with the Queensland side would help the NRL’s new team in the recruitment market.

Wayne Bennett has signed on to coach the Dolphins.

“We know Wayne is one of the best coaches and as we’re looking to build our initial roster, if Wayne is involved in the Origin arena, it will only benefit the Dolphins,” he said.

“If Wayne comes to us with that scenario (mentoring Queensland), I’m sure the Dolphins would look at it in a positive light.

“Wayne is a Queensland icon and what he did last year with the Maroons was a magnificent achievement.

“Having Wayne involved in the Origin set-up could only be a positive for the Dolphins as we begin our set-up and bring our new NRL club to life.”

Slater makes first big call, reaches for the stars

- Peter Badel

New Queensland coach Billy Slater has landed his first recruit after hiring former Origin centre and Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay to help mastermind the Maroons’ revenge mission next season.

News Corp can also reveal NRL legend Cameron Smith could be part of Queensland coaching squadron, with Slater in talks with his former champion Storm teammate to play a cameo role in Camp Maroon.

Slater was officially named as Paul Green’s successor three weeks ago and the rookie Maroons mentor has begun assembling his coaching unit, with Hannay to join Johnathan Thurston for Queensland’s 2022 campaign.

Josh Hannay is set to join Camp Maroon under the guidance of Billy Slater.

Hannay, who played two games for Queensland between 2003-06, has coaching experience in the Origin arena, having worked as an assistant to Kevin Walters in 2018.

Slater was impressed by Hannay’s caretaker coaching role at Cronulla this year - the ninth-placed Sharks narrowly missed the finals after the sacking of John Morris - and he believes the 41-year-old will play a key role in Queensland’s quest to reclaim the Origin shield.

“I spoke to Josh last week - I’m keen to have him on board,” Slater said.

“Josh was one guy I was keen to chat to and when I called him, Josh was really keen about coming on board and contributing.

“He has an intelligent football mind and he’s a Queenslander. He has pulled on the Maroons jersey as a player, so he will add a whole heap of value to the group.

“He’s had NRL experience at two clubs (Hannay also served as interim at the Cowboys last year following Green’s sacking) and I don’t think he is too far away from leading his own team in the NRL in the near future.

“It’s not an easy situation taking over a team that has moved their coach on and refocusing the playing group to get the job done.

Johnathan Thurston looks set to be part of Billy Slater’s new coaching team.

“Josh did a tremendous job at Cronulla this year, only just missing the finals series, and having to deal with a whole heap of situations.

“Every dealing I’ve had with Josh, including when I was playing for Queensland … I’ve been really impressed with what he brings to the team.”

Slater’s next step is formally securing Smith, whose addition would be a massive coup for the Maroons.

It is understood Smith, who now resides on the Gold Coast, is keen to help Slater on the proviso the Queensland and NSW camps will not be forced into Covid bubbles, as has occurred over the past 12 months.

Smith is the most-capped player in Origin history with 42 appearances and his peerless football brain would be a huge asset as Slater chases a maiden interstate crown.

“I’ve spoken to Cam and Johnathan (Thurston),” Slater said.

“There’s still some things to be discussed but they are two guys I have been in touch with.

Slater and Smith could soon be teaming up again.

“We know what they bring to the table and their great records at Origin level.

“Those two guys (Smith and Thurston) and Josh are really passionate Queenslanders.

“To have spent so many years in Origin camps, not to mention their knowledge of the game … if we could assemble that coaching staff we’re on a good path to getting the best out of our playing group.”

Slater has not ruled out hiring Wayne Bennett as a possible senior advisor after the ARL Commission blocked Mal Meninga helping Queensland due to a conflict-of-interest given his job as Australia coach.

“Mal has been ruled out through his association with the Kangaroos,” Slater said.

“For someone like Wayne, he is passionate about Queensland, but the NRL season has just finished, he will want to rest up.

“I will let some water flow under the bridge before I start thinking about that.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2022: Maroons sack Neil Henry as assistant, sign Josh Hannay