How a handshake may decide Slater's Maroons coaching future

Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 4:48pm

Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 4:48pm

In short:

Billy Slater says he will not sign another contract to be Queensland State of Origin coach.

He says his future in the role will proceed on a handshake basis.

What's next?

ABC Sport will live blog State of Origin III on July 8.

Billy Slater says he does not expect this year's State of Origin series to be his last as Queensland coach, but he will proceed in the role on a handshake basis.

Slater has the chance to win his fourth series as Maroons coach in next week's Origin III at Lang Park.

He signed a three-year extension at the end of the 2023 series.

"I won't be signing another contract. This is not a contract job for me," Slater told reporters on the Sunshine Coast as the Maroons went into camp.

"I really enjoy helping this group of men go and inspire our people of Queensland.

"When that changes, my position will change. Or if someone in the QRL [Queensland Rugby League] decides there's someone better for the job, I'm all for that as well."

Slater was asked to clarify if he meant his future as Maroons coach would proceed on a handshake basis.

"Yep, pretty much," he said.

"It might surprise you, but that's how it is."

Slater said he coached the Maroons because he enjoyed helping the players "inspire the people of Queensland".

"That's what this team has given me when I was a kid. It gave me inspiration," he said.

"Now we get the opportunity to go and give the rest of Queensland that inspiration."

The Maroons are seeking their first win at Lang Park since 2023.

"The venue means a lot to us, but what happened three weeks ago, 12 months ago or 30 years ago is nearly irrelevant," Slater said.

"What happens in the next nine days and what happens in the 80 minutes is what will decide the outcome and what we will be focusing on."

AAP