Billy Slater says he still doesn’t know whether he will coach Queensland next year but admits the job “will be hard to turn down”.
Speaking of Nine Sunday Football Show Following the 30-12 loss to New South Wales in the State of Origin decider, the legendary defender also heaped praise on the much-maligned Laurie Daley.
Billy Slater. Nine
Slater is coming to terms with losing two crucial matches at Suncorp Stadium in three years.
The 43-year-old, who has won three of five series since taking over as Maroons coach in 2022, has been asked by NSW icon Andrew Jones if he will go again next year.
“I’m not sure yet. I think I’ll just let the dust settle, talk to the right people and make that decision,” Slater replied.
“It takes a lot of work and it’s a feeling thing. The reason I took this position is because it meant the world to me and it still does.
“I think about the people of Queensland and how much this team means to them, and then I think about this group of players. I’ve built a really good relationship with them individually and also collectively as a team.”
“So knowing how much it means to them and what they put into it, it’s going to be hard to walk away from.”
Before Game 3, Slater revealed that his role as Maroons coach “was not a contract job”; rather, he and QRL acted on the basis of a handshake.
To complicate matters, Ben Eakin is set to step down as QRL CEO at the end of July.
“There’s a lot to think about,” Slater added Sunday.
Daly defied the tidal wave of criticism by bombing the Blues’ Suncorp Stadium.
There were rumors that he was only reappointed as Blues coach because of his friendship with NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden.
Daly was also the subject of a News Corp report which said his pre-game speeches were putting Blues players to sleep.
The Blues legend hit out at his explosive post-game press conference, advising them to “show some ball” and “take a hard look at yourself”.
Daly has not confirmed whether he is finished as NSW coach, but he is not expected to continue in his role.
“I have a lot of respect for Laurie,” Slater said.
“He was a player I really looked up to when I was a kid watching the game.
“He’s a good man, isn’t he? I think we all understand that he’s a great guy who has a lot of respect for people. When you see that respect not being given the other way around, it’s hard to accept.
“He was the guy I made sure to see on the field after the game to congratulate him. He’s worked long and hard in this role, and he’s been in this position before. To go through all this adversity and then come out on the other side – I’m sure he’s enjoying this moment right now.”