Ben Ikin is confident Maroons coach Billy Slater will remain in charge for next year’s State of Origin series, but conceded he would likely be ‘at the top of the list’ for Melbourne should the legendary Craig Bellamy retire.

Slater has been a revelation at Origin level since taking over the job in 2022, winning three of his four series at the helm.

Billy Slater and Ben Ikin.  Getty

He will have the chance to make it four-from-five on Wednesday night, with the Maroons to start as red-hot favourites in the decider against NSW.

However, the pre-game comments around his own future last week caught many by surprise, when Slater revealed he was working on a ‘handshake deal’ basis.

“It certainly didn’t catch us off-guard,” Ikin told nine.com.au this week as part of his involvement with the Always Respect, Always DrinkWise campaign.

“I’ve been in regular conversations with Billy since the start of the year and in his mind now, he’s found his groove as Maroons coach and he loves the job.

“At this stage, I would say he’s super keen to do it next year – but he understands how quickly the game can change and on that basis, he wants to take his future as Maroons coach year-by-year and it’s nothing more complicated than that.

“The process will be he coaches out the series, we sit down and review the series together, we give our feedback and he gives his. Then, we jointly make a decision.

“At this stage, with one game to go, it all feels very positive.”

While the outgoing chief executive is hopeful Queensland will have the champion fullback in the coach’s box long-term, he isn’t naive to the possibility of Slater making the move to club land and replacing Bellamy in the future.

“That will be for Billy to decide but what I will say is, we would love to keep him around as Origin coach for as long as he wants to do it,” Ikin said.

“He’s highly capable and deeply passionate about the role, but I know if he decided he wanted to be an NRL head coach, he’d do that very well too.

“I get the sense that the Melbourne Storm feel the same way and as Craig Bellamy decides how much longer he wants to be coaching, if I was on that Melbourne Storm board, I’d absolutely be having Billy Slater at the top of my list.

“They would be mighty big shoes to fill [at the Storm], but I’m more than confident that Billy would be able to do it.”

Ikin has overseen a boom period for the sport in Queensland since stepping into the CEO position three years ago, in a tenure that has included Origin triumphs, the rise of the Dolphins, grassroot developments and potential future expansion.

But as he prepares to step down at the end of July, it’s perhaps the work off the field with organisations such as DrinkWise – who are promoting responsible drinking during the Origin decider – that makes him most proud.

Ben Ikin is working as an ambassador for DrinkWise. Supplied

“Origin is the most popular sporting event in the country, it’s highly engaging and as a code, it’s an opportunity to use our voice responsibly,” he said.

“At the QRL here personally, I really respect the core message of DrinkWise, which is drink responsibly even when you’re in the midst of something as exciting and big as Origin because ultimately, drinking responsibly while taking in an event like Origin, will make it a better experience for everyone involved.

“As a husband and father, it’s a really sensible message to push because the truth is, when you’re drinking responsibly, you make better decisions.

“We’ve really leaned into as a code, which is something I’m enormously proud of and watching the impact sport can have on people and communities in a really positive way has been a powerful part of my experience as CEO.

“Partnering with organisations like DrinkWise makes sure that while we’re out there and the game is getting more popular, we’re using a share of voice to relay positive messages … it makes you feel good about the game.

“Rugby league, used as a vehicle for good, can make great cut through and it can make the lives of people and their communities better.”

And as for the game three showdown at Suncorp Stadium?

“I think we traditionally fight hard for the underdog status, but I don’t know if we’re going to get it this time around,” Ikin said.