BILLY MARCHES IN TO SAINTS MENTORING ROLE
AFL: New St Kilda leadership coach Billy Slater says not having an AFL background isn’t a barrier in him imparting skills and knowledge to the “young and exciting” Saints at Moorabbin.
The Melbourne Storm legend, who will begin a parttime role at Saints in the pre-season, has not ruled out being apart of match day preparation either.
“I think early in the pre-season I’ll probably be listening more than talking,” Slater said.
“Working out what makes the St Kilda Football Club tick and just trying to impart some of the things I’ve picked up over my career, some of the standards, some of the leadership qualities.
“The specifics and skills of the game are different. “But at the end of the day we’re a team trying to strive for one goal and we all want to pull in that one direction.
“It’s about a group of guys trying to work hard, be selfless. I don’t think that changes just because it’s a different code. The theories around it are the same.
“I’ve focused on living and breathing this (elite sport) for the past 16-20 years, now it’s about trying to pass that on to other people and help them build their careers. I’m not here to just be firm ... I’ll learn along the way as well.”
The Saints approached Slater about the position shortly after he announced his NRL retirement.
He met with Saints football director Simon Lethlean in the days following the NRL grand final to talk terms.
Slater has had brilliant leadership mentors over the journey, including Storm coach Craig Bellamy, captain Cameron Smith and Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell, who built a similar leadership program at the Storm and then at the Magpies last season.
“Maxy’s been great for us at the Melbourne Storm, just creating an environment that we can get the best out of ourselves, helping to develop leaders and better leaders,” Slater said.