‘He’s bigger than he knows’: Why deflated Maroons are pleading for Slater to stay

As a trickle of blood from above his left eye dried on the side of his face, Queensland Maroons hooker Harry Grant issued a plea for coach Billy Slater to remain at the helm for next year’s quest for State of Origin redemption.

Slater’s future had been a major talking point leading into Wednesday night’s 30-12 series-deciding New South Wales win. Comments he made on day one of camp suggested he would not sign another contract, sending the rugby league world into a frenzy.

The champion fullback has clarified since that he does not consider the job of spearheading the Maroons to be a contracted position, and he would remain involved provided he felt he could still add value to the Queensland cause and if the state’s governing body felt the same.

“There has been way too much talk about me,” Slater said after the match on Wednesday night. “This isn’t about me. I’m here to help this team, and as long as I feel I can fully commit to that, I’ll be here.

“If there comes a time when someone else is better suited for the position, I’d be more than willing to help them out, too. I say this because I truly mean it.

“This isn’t a position I’m holding on to for long-term personal ambition; it’s a position I hold because I care deeply about it.

“I’ve cared about this football team since I was five years old.

“As long as I can help add value to their preparation, I’ll consider being here.”

Dejected though he was after Queensland’s 14 errors in game three – many of which from within their own half of the field – cost them a fourth series victory in Slater’s five-year tenure, Grant was adamant his former Melbourne teammate was the man for the job.

“I think we all know what he brings to this playing group, and how much improvement and growth that he brings to everyone’s game individually and collectively,” Grant said.

“He’s just a Queenslander, he’s been a kid who wanted to play for Queensland to being the player we all looked up to. Now as a coach, he’s so detailed in his job and what he does, and he puts a lot of time into it … and you want to repay it by performing well.

“But I think [for now], it’s more about sitting in the loss and understanding it’s going to hurt, as opposed to looking too far ahead.”

Key to the commentary surrounding Slater’s next move has been the fate of Storm coach Craig Bellamy, with uncertainty over whether he will continue to lead the Melbourne club following his diagnosis with a neurodegenerative disease this year.

But Slater’s dedication to the Queensland group has not been lost on those within the inner sanctum, as Maroons enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui joined Grant in pleading for the 43-year-old to stay in charge.

Fa’asuamaleaui was forced to contend with the loss of his father Fereti to cancer in the build-up to game two.

The Gold Coast Titans skipper paid tribute to the support Slater gave him as he comprehended the loss of the man he lauded his “hero”.

“[Slater is] the heart and soul of this team and this state. I love that man, he’s given me so much away from here, and obviously on the field too,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“Even just wearing my dad’s badge on his bag tonight is just something that means a lot, and him coming to my dad’s funeral.

“He’s bigger than he really knows. I love him, and I hope [he keeps coaching].”