The Blues could be forgiven for blasting Basement Jaxx’s 2001 hit Where’s Your Head At in camp this week in a pointed nod to the big question hovering over Maroons coach Billy Slater ahead of Wednesday night’s Origin series decider.
The usually cool-headed Slater was replaced by an irritable and guarded version of his former self after NSW piled on 34 unanswered first-half points to smash Queensland 38-18 in Game II at the MCG.
Slater’s much-ridiculed “we’re still Queenslanders” statement during the post-match press conference was perhaps the first sign the usually-unflappable mentor was finally feeling the Origin blowtorch after winning his first two Origin campaigns as coach.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Slater responds to criticism from NSW | 02:03
Queensland’s almost unprecedented decision to cancel an all-in media day ahead of Game III — complete with a pot shot from NSW rival Michael Maguire — has also raised questions about Slater’s state of mind. And while former champion fullback has presented a more relaxed demeanour as Game III approaches, many agree Slater is under the pump like never before and facing the biggest test of his young coaching career.
“I concur with (the view) that he’s been rattled and he’s not himself,” NSW legend and Fox League pundit Ben Elias told foxsports.com.au.
“Which you can expect by the way. You can expect those mannerisms. Because now, it’s the acid test.”
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING PTS: Kevvie problem that ‘won’t go away’; clear proof of Flanno’s revolution
TEAM TIPS: Panthers’ huge superstar boost; Kevvie’s crucial Origin call
HOOPS: Blues’ ambush set to spark Maroons into late double switch for Origin decide
‘IT HURTS AND IT’S PERSONAL’
Maroons great Corey Parker knows Slater better than most having played alongside the Queensland mentor at Origin level for more than a decade.
Parker is confident Slater will have Queensland firing for the decider, bit admitted there would have been some soul-searching after Game II.
“It was embarrassing for one and he (Slater) would have been feeling some form of embarrassment as head coach,” Parker told foxsports.com.au.
“And straight away the journos were asking him about potential changes and he hadn’t even digested what was going on.
“I’m sure if Billy had his time again, maybe he comes up with something different to the ‘we’re still Queenslanders’. I didn’t really understand it and I’m sure from south of the border they’re going ‘how good is this, he’s rattled’.
“He’s no different to myself, he’s no different to Cameron Smith, he’s no different to any Queenslander after a loss. It hurts and it’s personal and something you stew on the whole duration until the next game.”
Parker said Slater’s meticulous preparation would ensure the Maroons were primed to bounce back as they seek a third straight series victory.
“The difference with him being a player and now a coach is the buck stops with him,” Parker said.
“Billy will be sifting through the entire 10-day preparations. He’s methodical on his preparations in ‘how could we have done better? Was there any signs? Did we do something we probably didn’t do Game One?’.
“He would be doing self-reflection right across the park.”
‘I think that’s a bit far’ Billy unfazed | 01:10
FROM GOLDEN BOY TO ‘ANGRY DAD’
That reflection manifested in the form of a brutal video session last week as Slater made the players re-live the Game II thrashing.
Maroons veteran Ben Hunt revealed the Maroons had re-watched their Melbourne performance, with Slater showing his frustration.
“We had a look at the Melbourne game and it was definitely a tough watch, that is for sure,” Hunt said.
“Billy definitely had honest conversations with a fair few of us. I don’t think there were many guys in that game that could say they played a good game of footy. It was a tough video session but one we needed.
“There were definitely some embarrassing moments for sure. In the first half there were some real poor defensive errors. They played a great game but we weren’t at our best.
“He was like the angry dad a bit. He was a bit disappointed in us…. I don’t like to lose and to lose like that in an Origin jersey definitely burns.”
Maroons legend and NRL 360 co-host Gorden Tallis has spoken to Slater and is confident the mentor isn’t rattled, however he said all Queenslanders — himself included — realised the enormity of the situation.
“No (he’s not rattled), I’ve spoken to him. No, definitely not…. but there’s pressure on him,” Tallis said last week.
“I’m feeling the pressure and I’m not even in the squad, I’m not even playing the game and I feel the pressure, I feel the angst.
“I know that we’re under the pump next Wednesday… but Billy for the care of his state, because he has played in these deciders, he wouldn’t do the job if he didn’t feel the pressure.
“But I’ll tell you this, Madge would be feeling the pressure too.”
Slater responds to Maroons ‘media snub’ | 01:59
‘FAIR BIT OF S*** THROWN AT US’
Parker — like Slater — was part of the Maroons’ 2015 side which smashed NSW 52-6 in the Suncorp decider after they fell to the Blues 26-16 in Game II at the MCG.
The Broncos legend said he has seen similar traits between the teams, nine years apart, something that Slater would surely be tapping into.
“There was a fair bit of s**t thrown at us (the 2015 Queensand team) and there was a little bit of a similar bravado from NSW,” he said.
“Game I we won and maybe subconsciously you’re not tuned in the way you should. We were beaten so you’re put back in your box a bit and Game Three we were dialled in.
“We took it really personal as a team and bunkered down and had a real steely mindset which I am sure and I hope this Queensland team will have.
“We went out and executed and quite simply blew them off the park. We were putting 50-odd points on NSW at home which was the best game I’ve ever been a part of.
“… I haven’t seen the bravado and the confidence from NSW the way it is at the moment in a long time so they will absolutely fancy themselves.
“I think it (Game III) is going to be an absolute epic.”
Source Agencies
