Billy Slater isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. He took the role as Queensland coach based on a challenge he set within himself; and by all means, didn’t he smash that goal with the Maroons’ epic series win.
There have been huge rumours floating around all year that Slater’s old boss, Craig Bellamy will coach next year at the Melbourne Storm, before moving on to his new role of guiding a new coach to take charge.
That man to take over? By all reports, it will be Slater. Once touted as Adam O’Brien’s role, then Jason Ryles, then potentially Stephen Kearney – Billy has seemed to come from nowhere.
Always sticking his head around the Storm coaching sessions as Gosch’s paddock, Slater was spotted at their Geelong pre-season camp in a full time role. He’s just seems to be a lot more heavily involved in the club than he has been since winding up his glittering career at the end of 2018.
Reports began to surface when Bellamy decided to sign on for another season, that it was to allow Billy to do his two-year deal with Queensland, then take his talents to a weekly gig with the Storm.
Not bad ha? Bellamy to Slater, after winning his first Origin series? Great news for Storm fans.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Slater, who is currently a commentator on Channel 9, was known to have one of the best eyes for the game in the business. His colour commentary is almost as good as anyone going around, and his work ethic has never been questioned.
Add in his incredible footy smarts, you have the makings of one of the first ever great players to become a great coach.
With all the Cam Munster reviews, based on he would only play under Bellamy, people forget arguably who has been the second most consistent coach in his career: the man dubbed to take over.
When Billy went down in 2016-2017, he coached Munster to a standstill to being one of the best fullbacks in the game. I daresay if Munster can stay for Bellamy, he stays for Slater, too.
While I am sure Billy is celebrating this series win, on the horizon – I am sure of it – is a head coaching role at the Storm awaiting him and him only.
From the Kid, to the Conqueror, to perhaps, the Successor. Go well, Billy.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Would be a smart move I think to get Billy some more experience in coaching with the view of taking over the Storm. He seems to have the temperament, although it does remind me of Fatty and his team of underdogs that won SOO - I think Fatty thought media was a better gig than coaching.
mushi
Roar Guru
He doesn't have Freddy in the other box each week though.
Tony
Roar Guru
Billy's not that silly
Yawn
Guest
Well he certainly cut a different figure after winning the game than he did before the start of it.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
As a blues supporter ,this year I had a soft spot for Qld, or should I say Billy. One if my favourite players of all time. Even the last 10 minutes of origin 3, I was feeling good for Slater. He is a worker, brilliant footy brain but most of all he has set his family in Victoria . Considering his age ,and 70 not being the retirement age for coaches anymore that gives the Storm 35 years with a first class coach and an undeniable boost for RL in Victoria.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
D, AFL Coaching great David Parkin said that the AFL habit of moving assistants into the head role was flawed, and that every aspiring assistant coach should take the top role somewhere before taking the reins of an AFL club. That role could be a top country league, district league or the VFL/SANFL/WAFL etc. It didn't really matter, just so long as they held a role where the buck stops with them and there are many competing pressures to manage such as Boards, supporters, assistant coaches, medical / strength and conditioning teams etc. He really believed that it made better coaches. 2 years minimum I reckon. It's the same at WT, no apprenticeship for Marshall or Farrah, no idea of the pressures and how to handle them, most importantly no learning from mistakes, which they all make. Just a cruisy ride into the big gig. They should have put them into a feeder team to learn and do their courses, find out what it's really like. Billy Slater with a mentor like Bellyache might not need that. It's something I also think is important but jeez if he does it I hope it works!
Phil
Roar Rookie
In time Billy would make a good club coach given his footy smarts and dedication to the task. Bringing a group of top class players together for a three game tournament is very different to the year round slog of clubland. Looking over Billy's career, he arrived in Melbourne seeking a game. He didn't even have a regular position to play and ended up the best fullback in the game. Selected on the wing for SOO and nailed it, in the process scoreing one of the Origin all time great tries. He misses two seasons through injury and helps make Cameron Munster into a classy fullback. Now he takes on SOO coach for QLD and wins with an underdog team. He outsmarted his more experienced rival, coming up with a plan to belt NSW and it worked. When Billy applies himself, success seems to follow so he could end up coach of Melbourne.
Dionysus
Guest
Fully agree with that which is partly why Bellamy didn't work in Origin. But Slater is not Bellamy. Many wrote him off because he had never coached prior to taking on Origin and whilst it would be wrong to read too much into a one series win, it is clear that he does have some smarts. Compare the idea of Slater going to take over the reins of the Storm to Benji taking over at the Tigers. I know which one of those I would back. You also have to remember that if Billy did take over in Melbourne, he would still have Bellamy in his Football Director role sitting in the background for at least two years. I said some time ago that Slater to Melbourne is not such a stretch. Billy has business interests in Melbourne and whilst they don't demand his full time presence, he is likely to stick around in the area.
Sam
Guest
Billy has already won as many Origin games as Bellamy did in three years as NSW coach
James584
Roar Rookie
Maybe, but a very different job to Origin.