Billy Slater will be gunning for a third straight State of Origin series win with Queensland when they take on Michael Maguire’s New South Wales this year.
The legendary fullback has transitioned perfectly into the role of a head coach for the Maroons with the 40-year-old building a strong array of backroom talent to help him guide the state to successive victories.
Links to the NRL have inevitably come thick and fast during the past three years due to Slater’s success with a return to Melbourne to replace Craig Bellamy often floated.
A move to Parramatta has also been viewed as an option, following Brad Arthur’s axing just weeks before the Origin opener.
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Will Billy Slater coach in the NRL? Future of Queensland Maroons mentor
Slater replaced the late Paul Green in September 2021 after the Maroons slipped to a 2-1 series defeat under the former North Queensland Cowboys premiership-winning coach.
Slater had no previous experience as a head coach but had been working as a selector and mentor for Queensland and was seen as the ideal man to transform the state’s fortunes.
"I have got no ambitions to be an NRL coach," Slater declared after first being unveiled as the Maroons new mentor.
"I really enjoy my commentary role with Channel 9, I have got an individual specific role with the Melbourne Storm, and this is something I am passionate about and I feel like I can contribute to."
Slater immediately presided over a series win during his first year in charge as a youthful QLD side knocked off their rivals before repeating the trick the following year which proved to be Fittler’s final in charge of the Blues.
After guiding the Maroons to consecutive Origin series wins, Slater was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2023.
"To be able to lock in someone of Billy’s calibre is a brilliant outcome for our Origin program and the people who work with and support the Maroons," QRL chief executive officer, Ben Ikin, said upon the announcement of the new deal.
"Over the past two years we’ve witnessed a team that has made Queenslanders immensely proud, and it’s been Billy’s vision and leadership driving that."
Slater has repeatedly rebuffed talk of succeeding his former mentor Bellamy at the Storm and has now poured cold water on a potential venture into clubland at the Eels.
"I'm all in for the Queensland job and if I’m not coaching Queensland, I’m not coaching anyone else," Slater told NRL 360 just a week out from the Origin opener.
"I have been very forward with that…I’m Queensland’s coach and if I’m not Queensland’s coach, then I’m not coaching anyone."
