Maroons legend Greg Inglis has backed Billy Slater to succeed coach Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm.
Slater’s coaching credentials have skyrocketed again after keeping Queensland’s State of Origin series alive, avenging their 22-20 defeat in game one with a 44-24 triumph over the Blues at the MCG.
Queensland Rugby League will be desperate to extend his Maroons tenure regardless of the result of the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8, while he also balances life as a commentator, horse breeder and family man.
Despite inking a contract extension through to the end of 2028, Bellamy’s future has been under a cloud since revelations emerged he had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. He is yet to confirm if he will coach on.
Inglis – who shared the field with Slater at the Storm, and for the Maroons and Kangaroos in one of rugby league’s most decorated careers – insisted the man who has overseen three Origin series wins in four attempts was tailor-made to take the reins from Bellamy.
“He was always destined to be something in the football world,” Inglis said.
“Something that’s always been talked about is his ability to relate to players in different environments and get to know them personally as well.
“In Queensland, in Billy we trust, and in Melbourne, in Billy they trust, so if they offer it to him, and he wants to do it, I could see him being Craig’s successor. He’s just a winner, he doesn’t do anything half-hearted.
“You don’t have a career like Billy Slater’s had and not be able to take it into coaching, that’s something he’s passionate about and loves doing.”
The former champion fullback, long touted as a potential successor to Bellamy in clubland, has hinted it was not a path he was looking to take but he has said “never say never”.
Inglis said the fact Slater had only ever played under Bellamy, before taking on a part-time role alongside him at the Storm, ensured he would be one of the few people who could carry on the master mentor’s legacy.
“Understanding the Melbourne Storm system I think is the hardest, if you don’t understand it you won’t get it, but Billy’s been there and is still involved in it,” he said.
“I’ve seen the stuff he does behind the scenes – his work ethic and training, the way he does video [analysis], the way he can make you understand [things] from his point of view.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players who want to be coaches, but they just can’t relate to that. Billy’s the opposite – he can relate to a squad, he can relate to an individual.”
Whatever Slater told the Queensland squad as the Maroons trailed 12-8 at halftime on Wednesday had an effect.
Thomas Flegler had conceded a try after knocking on from a kick-off, while Cameron Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were completing head injury assessments.
But the Maroons turned on a second-half masterclass, scoring 36 points as halfback Sam Walker pulled the strings and winger Selwyn Cobbo crossed for a hat-trick.
Cobbo’s deft infield grubber also laid on a 13th Origin try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is edging closer to Inglis’ record of 18. He moved to equal third on the list alongside Valentine Holmes.
Inglis was in shock when reminded Tabuai-Fidow was still only 24 years old.
He said the man known as “the Hammer” showed game knowledge that was often overlooked because of his speed and try-scoring exploits – touching on his 2025 series in which he played centre, wing and fullback as evidence.
“Because he performs so well for the Dolphins at clubland, everyone expects him to bring even more in the Origin arena, but I think he’s doing fantastic,” Inglis said.
“The way he goes about it, he just looks like he’s in cruise control, but what he’s achieved in the Origin arena and what he’s done playing different positions – he played three different positions last year, that’s hard to do – his footy IQ probably has to be studied a little bit.
“You can see it just comes naturally to him.”
