Billy Slater has continued to establish himself as one of the best new coaches in rugby league, steering the Maroons to a second-straight State of Origin series victory.
After defying the odds in his first campaign in charge, Slater's side have now gained an unassailable 2-0 lead over the Blues, with the final clash in Sydney next month set to be played as a 'dead rubber' fixture.
Slater was part of a Queensland dynasty for over a decade during his playing days and has transitioned into the coaching ranks in seamless fashion, with former teammates Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Nate Myles alongside him on the staff.
But with immediate success at the representative level and a clear lack of quality coaches available in the NRL, the question has now been raised as to whether or not Slater could take up a more full-time role down the line.
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Many have already tipped Slater to be a long-term successor at his former club once Craig Bellamy retires, with the three-time premiership winner expected to move on at the end of 2024.
Speaking to The Sporting News following the side's 32-6 victory over NSW on Wednesday night, star hooker Harry Grant claimed the 40-year-old has everything it takes to make the jump later in his career.
“Yeah for sure – but only at the Melbourne Storm," Grant laughed.
"I’ve been very lucky to come through my NRL career and be able to learn off these guys – Billy, Smithy and have Craig as my coach. Bill would have learnt a whole heap off Bellza and he’s a big mentor for Bill.
"He has got it, but he’s got a very busy life and a very busy schedule… whatever Bill decides to do, he’s always gonna do it to 100 per cent of his ability and do it very well.
"He’s all class and I think the special thing is, we all watched him and our whole coaching staff growing up and idolising the majority of them. No matter what position, you idolised the players in our coaching staff.
"And now to have a chance to learn off them and understand why they were so good at their craft, you never second-guess them or question what they are doing throughout the week.
"You always dive head-first into it and get it done… we’ve seen the results."
Grant has become a fixture off the bench for the Maroons under the tutelage of Slater and Smith, taking his game to the next level and establishing himself as one of the game's best hookers.
Cameron Munster questions Billy Slater's NRL coaching desire
Another man who knows Slater extremely well is former teammate Cameron Munster, who came through running off the back of the legendary No.1 at the Storm, is now seeing him in a completely different light.
But when quizzed on the potential of Slater moving into a week-to-week job in the near future, Munster admitted that Slater may struggle to balance his outside commitments.
“I think he’s got too much on his plate at the moment - I reckon he enjoys being Queensland coach and I reckon he will stay here for a long time," he told The Sporting News.
“It probably takes a bit more time being away from family. I think he enjoys his family time and he’s got a farm… he enjoys the simple things in life. I think with the Origin, he can just go for three months of the year and enjoy his time.
"It’s a tough job coaching, it’s very cut-throat and if you’re not successful, you’re out the door very quickly. I don’t know if he’s gonna dip his toe in it too early – he’s gonna bide his time.
"He obviously knows the arena very well in Origin and if he gets his opportunity [in the NRL], he will take it with both hands."
Reece Walsh credits Billy Slater for Origin success
Slater's influence on the young Queensland crop could potentially lead to a brand-new State of Origin dynasty, similar to what we saw throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
One young man who could be front and centre of a long-term stranglehold over the Origin shield is rookie fullback Reece Walsh, who has become a sensation for the Maroons after just two games and looks destined for an extended run in the side.
And while the 20-year-old admitted he would have liked his time over late in the night at Suncorp Stadium, there was no hiding the affection he has for his Queensland coach.
“I wouldn’t be in this position without Bill challenging me from the start of the year," Walsh said.
"[We have had] honest conversations and the care for him to want me to be better – and if one of the best fullbacks to play this game is taking his time out to try and make you better as a person and as a player, I’d do anything for Bill.
"I’d go out there and run through a brick wall for him, even though I’d probably get whacked.
“Being a young Queenslander, all you ever want to do is wear a Queensland jersey at Suncorp Stadium. I spoke to Bill and it’s about trying to be better and going back to club land and the things I’ve learned here, keep them going.
"I don’t want to let this jersey go and I’ll put my head down and work hard."
Walsh was sent off in the dying stages after an altercation with Jarome Luai, but will escape suspension and should line up for the Broncos in Round 17.
