Billy clarifies staggering contract revelation as future plans quizzed
Billy Slater has given no guarantees over his State of Origin future, but he has clarified what he meant by only having a “handshake deal” in place to coach Queensland.
Since taking over the job in 2022, Slater has emerged as one of the game’s great coaches, winning three of his four series in charge.
Billy Slater speaks to media before game three. Nine
As a result, the legendary Storm fullback has received widespread praise and is in a strong position to continue in the job for years to come.
Speaking to media after naming his team for Origin III on Monday, Slater was asked whether this year’s decider at Suncorp Stadium would be his last as coach. His answer was non-committal.
“I don’t think so, but I don’t know,” he said.
“I won’t be signing another contract, this is not a contract job for me. I really enjoy helping this group of men to go and inspire our people of Queensland.
“When that changes, my position will change or if someone in the QRL think there’s another person better for the job, I’m all for that as well.”
The 43-year-old was then asked if he is operating on a handshake deal with the Maroons, to which he delivered a startling reply.
“Yep, pretty much - it might surprise you, but that’s how it is,” he said.
Slater has been heavily linked to the Melbourne head coaching job in recent months, as uncertainty surrounds the future of Craig Bellamy.
The former superstar fullback confirmed he has no other coaching opportunities on his radar that could drive him out of the Queensland job.
“There is no smoke or anything around, it is just purely how I feel about this role,” he said when asked about his earlier comments.
“I was probably just a little disappointed that I had signed a contract previously. It doesn’t feel like a contract job for me.
Billy Slater seen at Maroons training. Getty
“I don’t have any intentions to do anything else. I love what I am doing, the people that I am working with and the reasons why we are doing it.
“I don’t see that changing any time soon, but if it does, I am OK with that.”
Titans coach Josh Hannay believes Slater “would be crazy” to give up his current lifestyle to pursue a long-term deal at the helm of a club team.
“That bloke has the absolute best quality of life,” Hannay, a former assistant coach for Slater with Queensland, said on 100% Footy.
“If he jumps into what we do, he gives all of that up. He’d be crazy to give up that quality of life that he has.”
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Bellamy had been diagnosed with an undisclosed neurodegenerative disorder, casting doubt over whether he would keep coaching beyond the 2026 campaign with the Storm.
