Billy Slater has reiterated outgoing QRL chief executive Ben Ikin’s assertion that ‘everything suggests’ he will remain in charge of Queensland’s State of Origin team beyond 2026.
Slater last week revealed he wanted his Queensland coaching future to proceed on a handshake basis, allowing both parties to have flexibility.
The legendary former fullback said he did not want to sign another formal contract, but remained passionate about coaching the Maroons.
His statements created headlines and cast doubt on whether he would be in charge beyond Wednesday night’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Slater, who has coached the Maroons to three Origin series wins out of four, said he was ‘sorry for all those comments’ but answered questions about his future with clarity on Tuesday.
Asked if Wednesday could mark his final game as Queensland coach, Slater replied: ‘No.’
Billy Slater (pictured) shocked Maroons fans when he said he wouldn’t sign another contract to coach the team
The footy legend (pictured) has won two series as Cane Toads boss and his team is heavily favoured to make it three titles on Wednesday night
‘I said what I said on day one of camp, but it’s probably been blown out of proportion. It’s just how I feel,’ he said.
‘I could be standing here in five years’ time doing the same thing.
‘I love this position. I love what it means. I love the group of men in that dressing room right now preparing for a game of football and I enjoy helping them prepare.
‘I don’t anticipate not being here next year.’
On the eve of Wednesday’s decider, Ikin said ‘just about everybody’ at the QRL hoped Slater would stay put after his current contract expired this year.
Before the current Origin series began, Ikin and Slater held discussions about the coach’s future.
The QRL’s review of the 2026 series is likely to outlast Ikin’s tenure, given he will step down at the end of July to take a corporate job outside of football.
But the 17-time Maroon-turned-sports administrator is bullish that Slater, who has won three of four series in charge, should be kept on in 2027.
Slater (pictured right with NSW coach Laurie Daley) has also been tied to replacing Craig Bellamy when the Melbourne Storm coach retires
‘I think he’s the right guy, I think just about everybody in the organisation thinks he’s the right guy,’ DrinkWise ambassador Ikin said.
‘I daresay that the review process will extend beyond my time here at the QRL so the decision and the conversation will be made after I leave.
‘But at this stage, I think from both sides, everything’s feeling really positive.’
Slater is a popular figure amongst the Maroons playing group, who grew up watching his 319-game NRL career with Melbourne.
Maroons captain Cameron Munster, a premiership teammate of Slater’s in 2017, said ‘there’s no better person for the job’ in charge of Queensland.
‘But it’s up to him,’ Munster said.
‘He’s got a great winning percentage and I’m sure the QRL will do everything they can to keep him.
‘He still loves Queensland and still has a passion for it. If he and the QRL can come to an agreement, great.’
Storm chair Matt Tripp has publicly called Slater a ‘dream’ candidate to one day succeed long-time Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition this year and may not see out his deal, which expires at the end of 2028.
Slater is unlikely to be able to hold both coaching positions simultaneously.
Outside of his Maroons commitments, Slater is also busy as a pundit for Channel Nine, and runs the horse breeding business Slater Thoroughbreds.
Ikin understood Slater’s approach to his future.
‘His reasoning is sound, he just wants to completely give himself to one series at a time,’ he said.
‘So we’ll get through this series, we’ll review it with Billy and his role in it, and then just sit down and have a mature conversation.
‘At this stage, everything suggests that he will coach on next year. But this then allows both of us to just take this one series at a time.’
