The six tries that should force Billy Slater into a bombshell call for Origin decider

Billy Slater is renowned for his attention to detail and for making bold selection calls. After watching this footage there’s a strong chance that Queensland will be naming a different line-up for Origin III

Billy Slater isn’t afraid of making a big call.

It feels like he’s about to make another one, possibly even more than just replacing Kalyn Ponga at fullback.

The Queensland coach will forever be etched in history as the Maroons mentor who had the gumption to drop long-serving captain Daly Cherry-Evans, the decision proving spot on after Tom Dearden came in and toppled NSW in game two.

Yet If Slater changes his winning team from Perth for the decider in Sydney on July 9, it will provide this captivating series with yet another bombshell out of Queensland.

Slater is renowned for his attention to detail and if he can see what this column sees, Queensland will be naming a different line-up for Origin III.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Billy Slater of the Queensland Maroons addresses the media during a State of Origin media opportunity at Forrest Place on June 17, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Rugby league folklore goes that the former Storm star has a bank of TV monitors inside a private room of his property on the Mornington Peninsula that he sits and watches hours upon hours of rugby league.

Stop, rewind, play, pause, replay.

Slater tries to find things others can’t see.

Yet even this pesky journalist has found a major area of concern for Slater that should prompt the Maroons coach into another major call.

A video review of each of the Blues eight tries scored so far this series reveals that six - yes, six - of them were either created or scored by exposing the Maroons right-edge defence.

Again, six of the Blues eight tries this series have been manufactured by attacking to their left and peeling apart the Maroons right side.

NSW break down left edge Origin I

Zac Lomax try Origin I

On the Blues left side in Origin I were, Mitchell Moses, Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o.

In game two, Jarome Luai replaced Moses.

The Blues left-edge have punched holes in Queensland by combining across the two Origin matches with 18 tackle busts, seven offloads and five tries, with To’o scoring four and Crichton one.

It’s worth noting too, that the opening try of Origin I scored by Zac Lomax (see above) unfolded all because Crichton began the attacking raid by busting through the Maroons right-edge defence.

Brian To'o try Origin I

NSW’s second try in Origin I was scored by Mitchell sucking in the defence of Robert Toia and winger Xavier Coates before feeding To’o.

In Perth, the Blues five try comeback included four of those tries being scored through Queensland’s right edge.

Brian To'o try Origin II

The first try came through Luai kicking in behind Toia for Crichton to soccer the ball ahead and To’o to ground the ball.

The Blues second try picked at the Maroons right edge again, this time through the elite execution through the hands of Luai to Mitchell, who again sucked in the Maroons winger, this time Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, for To’o to score untouched.

Brian To'o try Origin II

The Blues fourth try was almost identical, this time Luai using Crichton as a decoy to draw in three defenders for Mitchell to deliver a superb catch-and-pass for To’o to score.

Try five went straight back to Queensland’s right edge, this time with Luai dabbing a lovely kick in behind Toia for Crichton to chase through and score.

Brian To'o try

Ironically, the Blues had a chance to win the game in the dying stages, but for some reason chose to attack the Maroons opposite left side.

Throughout this series, the Maroons right-edge defence has chopped and changed between Cherry-Evans, Reuben Cotter, Toia and Xavier Coates in Origin I to Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Toia and Coates in Origin II.

The question for Slater is, does he persist with a defensive edge that by the sheer weight of numbers, is a liability?

Angus Crichton try Origin II

Or does he do what he’s shown he isn’t afraid of doing, by changing a team that squared the series up in Perth?

Slater definitely has options.

From his video room, Slater has been watching the likes of Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow deliver each week and Corey Horsburgh likewise for the Raiders.

And he has the option too, of going back to a genuine warhorse in Canberra legend Josh Papalii or Titans edge forward in game one for Queensland, Beau Fermor.

The actions of Slater have largely been the story ahead of both Origin I and II.

If Slater has watched where the Blues have exposed Queensland so far, I suspect he’s preparing to continue dominating the headlines with a big call ahead of Origin III.

Originally published as The six tries that should force Billy Slater into a bombshell call for Origin decider