Slater clarifies handshake deal<\/a><\/p>\nIs Mitch Moses playing for his Origin future?Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
IF BILLY CLIMBS THE ORIGIN MOUNTAIN, WHAT NEXT?<\/p>\n
Outgoing Queensland Rugby League chief executive Ben Ikin may have given away Billy Slater\u2019s plans for his future.<\/p>\n
But ahead of the 2026 decider, the talented coach made a surprising comment regarding a potential extension to remain Maroons coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think so, but I don\u2019t know,\u201d Slater said on Monday morning when asked if Game III would be his final match as head coach of the Maroons.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t be signing another contract. This is not a contract job for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Slater then walked back on those comments somewhat in his final press conference before Wednesday night. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t anticipate not being here next year, so sorry for all those comments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just how I feel. I could be standing here in five years\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve studied this game pretty hard and put a lot of time energy into it. This position means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ikin was clear when quizzed on whether Slater would remain at the helm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t gone too deep-diving, but everything is pointing in the right direction for him to continue next year,\u201d Ikin told the NewsWire.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s fair to say there\u2019s a bit of mixed messaging there, especially when those comments came only a week apart.<\/p>\n
Regardless of whether Slater is considering signing an extension or not, there\u2019s undoubtedly a major decision to make for the legendary fullback.<\/p>\n
And it could be made easier if he wins on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
There is a lot on the line for Slater. Picture: Liam KidstonSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
Victory at Suncorp Stadium would mark a fourth series win in five years \u2014 a staggering record for a mentor many consider to be one of the game\u2019s best coaching talents.<\/p>\n
So could Slater trade a three-game series for an NRL season and take the leap into clubland after conquering the Origin mountain?<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a genuine possibility.<\/p>\n
Slater is a Storm legend and he has consistently been tipped to succeed Craig Bellamy as head coach of the Melbourne club.<\/p>\n
The speculation has only intensified following Bellamy\u2019s revelation earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder, leaving no guarantee that he will be coaching beyond the 2027 season.<\/p>\n
Becoming a club coach is said to be a considerably tougher job than coaching the short Origin period.<\/p>\n
But if there\u2019s a club any mentor would love to take over, the Storm would be close to the top of the list given their star-studded roster.<\/p>\n
Slater also already works with the Melbourne squad as a part-time consultant and already has a relationship with key figures, including Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.<\/p>\n
While Slater\u2019s future really is up in the air \u2014 he could complete Origin on Wednesday night and be ready for the next challenge.<\/p>\n
‘Sorry for all those comments!’ | 01:19<\/p>\n
\u2018NO-BRAINER\u2019 TO START MURRAY AT LOCK IN PLACE OF SKIPPER<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the section debate that won\u2019t go away and a former Blues great believes Laurie Daley will finally bite the bullet and make a massive change for Wednesday night\u2019s State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n
Braith Anasta believes the Blues coach will finally start Cameron Murray at lock and shift skipper Isaah Yeo back to the bench.<\/p>\n
Anasta has long called for Murray to start with Yeo to move to the bench or push into the front row.<\/p>\n
The NRL 360 host, who played 10 games for the Blues between 2002 and 2008, predicted Daley would finally relent and give the Souths skipper the job of starting.<\/p>\n
\u201cMurray will start, Murray will start, and I\u2019ll show you why,\u201d Anasta.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a no-brainer to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anasta pointed to how well Yeo was used off the bench in the winning 2024 series by coach Michael Maguire, who simplified his game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave a look at these carries from Isaah Yeo when Murray started at 13. Yeo was obviously directed here by Michael Maguire just to run the ball, don\u2019t look to pass, make your metres, find your elbows and knees,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLook at these carries when they won the series up at Suncorp, he was outstanding. He\u2019s not looking to pass, he\u2019s not worried about executing a game plan or getting the ball to Nathan Cleary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just thinking he\u2019s going to run over as many Queenslanders as he can, play the ball as quick as he can, then the halves can play off the back of that and the service out of nine will be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blues are 3-0 when Murray starts at lock and in his 16 games for NSW, the side is +174 points when he\u2019s on the field, while they\u2019re -48 when he\u2019s on the bench.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also been strong criticism during the past five years that NSW is too heavily influenced by all the Penrith players in the side.<\/p>\n
While the Panthers have produced one of rugby league\u2019s great dynasties in recent years, good game plans at club level don\u2019t always hold up in the Origin arena.<\/p>\n
Journalist Paul Crawley agreed with Anasta\u2019s strong views on Murray\u2019s role in the side and thinks he would help NSW to get off to a better start if he was in the run-on side.<\/p>\n
Could Cam Murray start? (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Cameron Murray has to be in the starting side,\u201d foxsports.com.au\u2019s Crawley said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIsaah goes to front row, I\u2019d be happy with that. If Isaah goes and starts on the bench I\u2019d be happy with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daley has copped plenty of criticism during the series on the back of losing last year\u2019s shield after winning Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium. <\/p>\n
Had Kalyn Ponga not been sent off in Game 1, the series would likely be over.<\/p>\n
Crawley said the criticism was warranted, particularly around Daley\u2019s game plan compared to rival coach Billy Slater\u2019s. <\/p>\n
The Maroons have looked a far better drilled team than NSW, who were favourites to win the series before and after Game 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to change something up. I think the criticism of Laurie Daley is justified, from the selections and the use of the bench and the game plans we\u2019ve seen so far,\u201d Crawley said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think from the outside looking in, when you analyse the two coaching performances so far this series you can clearly see where Billy\u2019s plan has come together and it\u2019s almost improved over the course of the series.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow journalist Dave Riccio said Daley and Yeo themselves made the argument for Murray to start after the team\u2019s 44-22 loss in game two. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn the post-match press conference at the MCG, I reckon Laurie Daley and Isaah Yeo referenced the ruck and the ruck speed more than a dozen times,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCameron Murray speeds up your ruck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riccio also claimed that Yeo, despite being the team\u2019s leader, would happily go back to the bench if it meant he was holding up the shield after the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will do anything for the Blues to win the game and if it\u2019s starting from the bench he will do it,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n
Anasta dismissed suggestions that starting the captain from the bench was disrespectful.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hear it\u2019s disrespectful to Issah Yeo. It\u2019s not disrespectful to Issah Yeo. No-one is saying don\u2019t start him. Just play him in the front row, or if you do start him off the bench this is the impact he can have for his state,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n
Yeo said in an interview last week that he would happily \u2018put the team first\u2019 and go back to the bench if Daley though it was best for NSW.<\/p>\n
Billy unfazed by Grant ‘cheat’ calls | 01:13<\/p>\n
DALEY RECALLS ENFORCER BUT IS HE BEING USED CORRECTLY? <\/p>\n
Blues coach Laurie Daley has recalled Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau\u2019atu for Game 3, but his inclusion has created some debate.<\/p>\n
After he was dropped for the match at the MCG, Olakau\u2019atu will come off the bench for the decider.<\/p>\n
He went from starting in Game 1 to being left out of the squad all together by Daley who was disappointed in a few of the backrower\u2019s effort areas off the ball.<\/p>\n
Olakau\u2019atu did fade late in Game 1, which is part of the reason Daley has opted to use him off the bench for the decider with Penrith\u2019s Liam Martin coming into the starting side.<\/p>\n
But Braith Anasta questioned if that was the best plan.<\/p>\n
Anasta said on NRL 360 that he would like to see Olakau\u2019atu be sent out to \u2018terrorise\u2019 the Queensland halves, who have rarely been tested defensively all series. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we haven\u2019t done enough to the Queenslanders is target their halves and if we haven\u2019t done that enough, why aren\u2019t we starting with Olakau\u2019atu and just terrorise Munster with Hudson (Young) running at Sam (Walker),\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s try and execute that for once in this series and get at them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made me think we should start with Olakau\u2019atu. Maybe he\u2019s the right one to terrorise the halves early on in the game, then bring Martin on when he gets a bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
Journalist Dave Riccio took a different view and backed Daley\u2019s preference to start four-time premiership winner Martin.<\/p>\n
“It’ll probably topple everything!” | 00:53<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comfortable with Liam Martin (starting). Wind him up, you know what he can possibly do. Start him and wind him up,\u201d Riccio said. <\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Martin himself has become somewhat of a role model for the Sea Eagles gun when it comes to his attitude \u2014 and a will to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat aggression is something that I will definitely take out of Marto\u2019s game, and learn from him,\u201d Olakau\u2019atu said to Code Sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll lead and hopefully I can do what it takes to follow his footsteps and back up his actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olakau\u2019atu also admitted that he was unsure whether he could follow in Martin\u2019s footsteps when it comes to harnessing what the \u2018dawg\u2019 inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m surprised by Haumole\u2019s answer. But he definitely has that \u2018dawg\u2019 in him. You ask any opposite halve, his physicality is second to none,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019ll help him to get a bit more of that side of him out. We can just feed off each other during the week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaumole, as big and as powerful as he is, he is a very humble and quiet guy. He\u2019s a bit of a gentle giant off the field, really.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if he is saying he doesn\u2019t have the \u2018dawg\u2019 in him, then he is not giving himself enough credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haumole Olakau\u2019atu.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
WHY THE DECIDER MEANS MORE FOR WALKER<\/p>\n
Sam Walker sits in a peculiar spot when it comes to his contract negotiations.<\/p>\n
The talented halfback comes off contract on November 1, and he has reportedly discussed a new deal with the Roosters.<\/p>\n
Code Sports\u2019 Brent Read said Walker\u2019s agent has named a price but there had been little movement on a new deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis agent came out and the figures that got spruiked were five years for $6 million,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me that\u2019s unders for Sam, if we are talking the way the salary cap is going to be in 2028. A halfback for the Sydney Roosters who is playing for Queensland.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Walker hasn\u2019t just been playing for the Maroons, he has been starring.<\/p>\n
With a dominant display in the decider, there\u2019s every chance he takes home the Wally Lewis Medal \u2014 and boosts his value.<\/p>\n
Although, according to Braith Anasta, Walker is already asking for more than the $1.2 million being cited above.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure he is asking for $1.2 million? Because I have been hearing that they \u2026 how do I say this,\u201d Braith said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis representatives for a period of time now, they have always asked for a quite decent dollar. They always have.\u201d<\/p>\n
A huge Game III performance could addSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
However, the biggest doubts surrounding Walker have always been his ability to perform in crunch moments.<\/p>\n
During his time at the Roosters, the club have been unable to put together a deep finals run and now he is considered one of the Tricolours\u2019 main men.<\/p>\n
But a Wally Lewis Medal, and an Origin series victory certainly quietens that train of thought and then a title charge in clubland would ultimately silence it.<\/p>\n
So what could Walker be worth if he delivers in Game III?<\/p>\n
With the salary cap expected to increase, more competition being included in the competition in the form of news clubs and tax-free dollars being thrown about, Walker is a hot commodity.<\/p>\n
Elite halfbacks are also hard to come by and the Roosters almost certainly don\u2019t want to lose his talents to a rival club.<\/p>\n
However, if they continue to postpone his negotiations, especially if he delivers in the decider on Wednesday night, they run a big risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a risk with that, because if you disrespect him and say \u2018no, let\u2019s see how you go, we will make a decision at the end of the year\u2019,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gets on a roll and wins them a comp, he has every right to turn around to them and go \u2018hold on, lets go to November 1 and see how I go\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Questions over Sam Walker contract | 04:22<\/p>\n
WHICH MAROONS SHOULD BLUES HARDMEN TARGET<\/p>\n
The Blues just haven\u2019t been damaging enough with ball in hand or close to the line this series and it\u2019s shown on the scoreboard. <\/p>\n
While the Maroons had all 13 men on the field in Games I and II (137 minutes), the Blues have scored just 30 points.<\/p>\n
Interesting comments from Blues enforcer Hudson Young last week led to debate over who New South Wales should target in the Maroons\u2019 defensive line.<\/p>\n
Young said the Maroons \u2018hide\u2019 halfback Sam Walker on the wing.<\/p>\n
Entering the series, Walker was considered the Maroons\u2019 weak link in defence, yet, he hasn\u2019t really been exposed. <\/p>\n
Those comments from Young indicate that the Maroons\u2019 coaching staff are doing a good job in putting Walker in positions where he can\u2019t put Queensland in jeopardy.<\/p>\n
According to journalists Brent Read and Michael Carayannis though, Walker shouldn\u2019t be the only players the Blues enforcers, such as Young, Liam Martin, Haumole Olakau\u2019atu and the forward pack should have in their line of sight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure if Queensland is smart, they would\u2019ve thought of ways to hide Sam Walker in the defensive line and protect him,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
At times, he porobably is defending a bit wider. Obviously that\u2019s going to be a mission for them. The Blues have to get not just Sam, but Cam Munster as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Carayannis, Harry Grant looms as the logical target. <\/p>\n
Not so much because he\u2019s a suspect defender, but to tire him over so he\u2019s not a bigger threat in attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to make Harry Grant 40 to 50 tackles. I think he\u2019s probably got off scot free in the last couple of Origins,\u201d Carayannis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cQueensland don\u2019t have the luxury of having a second hooker on the bench Queensland, so if you can find a way to get at Harry and work him over, I think that\u2019ll go a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tonight, the 2026 Origin series will be decided. While it\u2019s 1-1 on the scoreboard, Queensland have been the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":786106,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-786105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/786105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=786105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/786105\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/786106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=786105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=786105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=786105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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