Melbourne Storm fans have been delivered a reality check over hopes that Billy Slater will Craig Bellamy’s successor when the legendary NRL coach eventually leaves the role. Speculation is rife that Slater will be the Storm’s next head coach amid uncertainty surrounding Bellamy.
The 66-year-old Bellamy revealed earlier this year that he’s been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. The coaching legend has vowed to remain in the role, but club legend Slater is viewed as the ideal replacement if Bellamy decides to walk away.
Josh Hannay (L) can’t see Billy Slater giving up his current situation to coach the Melbourne Storm. Image: Getty
Slater is the current Queensland coach in State of Origin, as well as being a commentator and analyst on Channel 9. He’s previously stated he enjoys the flexibility of being Maroons coach as it allows him to keep his media and horse racing commitments and spend time with his young family.
If he was to replace Bellamy at the Storm, he’d have to leave his Channel 9 role and focus on the all-consuming task of becoming an NRL coach. It’s for that reason that Titans coach Josh Hannay can’t see it happening.
Hannay knows Slater well after working as an assistant with the Queensland team. “That bloke has the absolute best quality of life,” Hannay said on Channel 9 program ‘100% Footy’ on Monday night. “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.”
Billy Slater would have to leave his role at Channel 9.
(Cameron Spencer)Billy Slater ‘won’t be signing another contract’
Slater made the eye-opening admission on Monday that he won’t sign a contract if he continues as Queensland coach. Slater is in the third year of a three-year deal, and doesn’t want to be tied down by another fixed contract.
He revealed on Monday he’ll only potentially continue as Maroons coach on a ‘handshake agreement’. “This is not a contract job for me,” the 43-year-old said.
“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 decides there’s someone better for the job, I’m all for that as well.”
When asked if the decider at Suncorp will be his last as Queensland coach, Slater replied: “I don’t think so, but I don’t know. 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.”