State of Origin: Billy Slater cancels traditional media day as Maroons shut-out their own fans

This is the undeniable proof that Queensland coach Billy Slater is feeling the heat after the Maroons mentor made a controversial pre-Origin decider call that will impact his state’s loyal supporters.

Panic button, Billy. Maybe panic stations, Slater. Take your pick.

Under-pressure Queensland coach Billy Slater has panicked by cancelling a traditional Origin media day where players can be interviewed by media to promote the State of Origin decider in Brisbane.

It is clear proof that the usually untouchable Slater is feeling the heat after his state’s embarrassing loss to NSW in Melbourne.

One prominent source said: “Slater always talks about Queensland being the people’s team and how they represent five million Queenslanders. Yet now he’s closing ranks on the very media people that are a conduit to the Queensland people.”

This masthead has been told the NRL may pressure Queensland into altering their decision.

Both states traditionally hold an open media day just after team selection where journalists and broadcasters can secure interviews with all players. It is accepted as being the biggest pre-match day for vital media interviews.

Queensland held their media day at Suncorp Stadium before game one on the Monday and in Toowoomba as part of a fan day before Origin II on the Tuesday.

NSW has held media days at NSWRL headquarters before both opening Origin games with a third to be held at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday.

Queensland has now abandoned their full media day before the July 17 decider and will only ask two nominated players to front up for press questions on Monday at Suncorp Stadium.

NSW refuses to feel responsible for having to promote the big game, especially given it will be played in Brisbane. The limited media access to players will, say Origin sources, impact on the build-up to the big game.

The NSW camp clearly remembers former coach Brad Fittler being slammed by Queensland for shutting down media opportunities.

Around 30 to 40 media representatives attended the two open days in Queensland including all the media mastheads, free-to-air networks along with Fox Sports, radio stations and influential websites.

One source close to the Queensland media said: “To me, this suggests Billy and the Maroons are feeling some heat. Brad Fittler always said: ‘If you can’t do media then how can you perform in an Origin game?’

“I’ve never seen a Queensland coach cancel an open media session. I cannot remember Queensland ever doing this before. It’s always been open-slather for interviews where journos can grab who they want.

“The Maroons have never not had an open media day for the whole squad to be interviewed. Queensland say they just want to focus on the game and put all their energies into the decider.”

The QRL tried to explain their reasoning behind the decision.

Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater is under pressure. Picture: Mark Stewart

“This game, we have opted for no open media day on day one, just doing it a different way,” said a media spokesman.

“Along with Billy on day one, there will be two players speaking on each of the first two days plus players up on each training day.

“Best way to put it for us is that the group really wants to nail down those first few days in camp (which have been massive with commercial, media, fan appearances in the first two days). We’ll still be ticking over with the media though.”

Around 60 Sydney media representatives, including this masthead, will interview NSW stars on Monday. The Blues will complete media commitments on Monday before moving to their base in Leura on Tuesday.