‘Blown out of proportion’: Slater clarifies handshake deal... and responds to Gus’ ‘cheat’ claim
Queensland coach Billy Slater has responded to questions about his State of Origin coaching future ahead on Wednesday night’s decider, while also addressing explosive claims by Phil Gould.Slater raised eyebrows recently when he said he wouldn’t sign another contract with the QRL, and that any future deals would be sorted out with a handshake.Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.The former Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos fullback was questioned about his ‘handshake’ deal with the QRL, particularly amid rumours that he might leave the job to replace Craig Bellamy as head coach of Melbourne in 2027.Slater said on Tuesday that his handshake comments were “blown out of proportion”.“I don’t anticipate not being here next year, so sorry for all those comments,” Slater said.“It’s just how I feel. 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 and I enjoy helping them prepare for that game of football.“I’ve studied this game pretty hard and put a lot of time energy into it. This position means a lot to me.”QRL boss Ben Ikin is confident Slater will continue on as Queensland’s coach well into the future.“We haven’t gone too deep-diving, but everything is pointing in the right direction for him to continue next year,” Ikin told the NewsWire.“I love the pragmatic and honest approach he’s taken to this discussion with Queensland Rugby League about this role.“It’s very simple, it’s uncontroversial, and I think it’s a responsible approach from his side because he is a guy that is going to be very good at whatever he turns his hand to, and at some point, there are going to be multiple NRL clubs – not just the Melbourne Storm – who are going to potentially go after him as a head coach.”Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!Slater is looking to win a fourth series as coach on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium and his side is heavily favoured to do so after thumping the Blues 44-24 in Game 2.But that didn’t stop the most successful coach in NSW history Phil Gould launching a hand grenade into the Queensland camp by calling hooker Harry Grant a cheat on ‘100% Footy’ on Monday night.“Let’s call it for what it is - Harry is a cheat,” Gould said.His comments came in respect to Grant’s behaviour on the field, including constantly seen speaking to referee Ashley Klein in Game 2 as well as taking a dive to deny Penrith a crucial win late in the 2024 season.When asked about Gould’s comments, Slater brushed them off.“I didn’t hear those comments, but knowing Gus…I’m sure it wouldn’t have been portrayed like that,” Slater said.“Harry will be concentrating on playing footy and he’s an integral part of our footy team.”Slater also declared that reserve Reece Walsh was “every possibility” of getting game time on Wednesday night.Walsh ended 2025 with a premiership, a Clive Churchill Medal, and was the Australian fullback on the victorious Ashes tour.Few would have predicted he’d be on the bench for Queensland this series, but Kalyn Ponga’s sensational form, along with a dip in Walsh’s, has seen the Broncos custodian lose his Origin jersey.“He’s ready to go if the team needs him in any capacity,” Slater said of Walsh.Despite being heavy favourites to win Game 3, the Blues won the last decider played in Brisbane in 2024.And that’s no doubt still in the back of Slater’s mind.“We’ve got to go and earn that. It’s not just going to happen and we can’t just rely on the history of this great stadium,” Slater said.“The fact that Arthur Beetson ran out here 47 years ago, we can’t rely on all that stuff. We need to make sure it happens because of our actions.”
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