Maroons great Greg Inglis insists Billy Slater can succeed Craig Bellamy at Melbourne Storm
Maroons legend Greg Inglis has backed Billy Slater to replace coach Craig Bellamy at Melbourne Storm.
After keeping Queensland’s State of Origin series alive, Slater’s coaching performance soared again and they avenged their 22-20 defeat in game one with a 44-24 victory over the Blues at the MCG.
Queensland Rugby League will be desperate to extend his tenure with the Maroons regardless of the outcome of the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8, while also balancing his life as a commentator, horse breeder and family man.
Despite signing a contract extension until the end of 2028, Bellamy’s future has been uncertain since it was revealed he had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. He is yet to confirm whether he will continue coaching.
Inglis, who shared the field with Slater at the Storm and the Maroons and Kangaroos in one of rugby league’s most successful careers, insisted the man who oversaw three Origin series wins in four tries was tailor-made to take the reins from Bellamy.
“He was always destined to be something in the world of football,” Inglis said.
“One thing that is always talked about is his ability to relate to players in different environments and get to know them personally.
“We trust Billy in Queensland and we trust Billy in Melbourne, so if they offer 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-heartedly.”
“You don’t have a career like Billy Slater’s and bring that into coaching, it’s something he’s passionate about and loves doing.”
The former champion full-back, who has long been mentioned as a potential successor to Bellamy at the club, hinted it was not a path he wanted to take but said “never say never”.
Inglis said the fact that Slater had only played under Bellamy before taking on a part-time role alongside him at the Storm ensured he would be one of the few men capable of carrying on his master mentor’s legacy.
“I think the Melbourne Storm system is the hardest thing to understand, if you don’t understand it you can’t understand it, but Billy was there and he’s still in it,” he said.
“I’ve seen the things he does behind the scenes, his work ethic and his training, the way he makes videos. [analysis]way to make you understand [things] from his point of view.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players who want to be coaches, but they can’t connect with it. Billy is the opposite; he can connect with a team, he can connect with an individual.”
With the Maroons trailing 12-8 at half-time on Wednesday, everything Slater said to the Queensland team had an impact.
Thomas Flegler conceded a try after kick-off, while Cameron Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were completing head injury assessments.
But the Maroons embarked on a masterclass in the second half, scoring 36 points before half-time with Sam Walker pulling the strings and winger Selwyn Cobbo netting a hat-trick.
Cobbo’s veteran infield tackle also bagged a 13th Origin try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, approaching Inglis’ record of 18. He rose to third place on the list, along with Valentine Holmes.
Inglis was in shock when reminded that Tabuai-Fidow was still only 24.
He said the man known as “The Hammer” showed knowledge of the game that is often overlooked due to his pace and try-scoring exploits; As proof of this, he referred to the 2025 series in which he played centre, wing and fullback.
“As he has performed so well on the club side for the Dolphins, everyone expects him to bring even more in the Origin arena, but I think he is doing a fantastic job,” Inglis said.
“It looks like he’s on cruise control, but what he’s achieved in the Origin arena and what he’s done in different positions – he played three different positions last year, it’s hard to do – his football IQ probably needs some work.
“You can see it comes naturally to him.”
