Big Four’s last man standing bows out
ANOTHER retirement has rocked Queensland, with Billy Slater dropping the bombshell that he’ll walk away from representative football following the 2018 State of Origin series.
But the 34- year- old fullback has shut down talk of the underdog Maroons “doing it for Billy” this year, saying “it’s their time now”.
The off- contract Melbourne star admitted he had not decided his NRL future but confirmed his 15th year in the Queensland side would be his last ahead of next week’s series opener at the MCG.
It marks the end of an era with Slater – a 29 Origin game veteran – following fellow Queensland greats Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and former skipper Cameron Smith into representative retirement. But Slater said he had not been influenced by the decisions of the rest of the “Big Four”.
“I just feel it is time. It’s been a great ride,” he told a packed press conference yesterday flanked by Queensland coach Kevin Walters.
“It’s been on my mind for a while. I always thought this was going to be my last series – the decision was made probably last week.”
Slater was considered for the Maroons captaincy after Smith’s retirement but Walters went with 30 Origin veteran centre Greg Inglis.
Slater still looked forward to playing a huge leadership role in a newlook Maroons side down 150 games of Origin experience.
“I know we say goodbye to Cam, Cooper and Johnathan, who have been in the centre of big moments in the last decade,” Slater said.
“But I am excited about playing alongside the younger guys coming through and being part of that plan to bring them along.”
But he baulked when asked if the Maroons would be “doing it for Billy”.
“I want them to do it for Queensland and do it for themselves,” he said.
“There are some young guys in there. It’s their time now.”
Slater made his Origin debut in 2004, providing an iconic moment with his famous chip kick try that year.
“Billy epitomises what State of Origin is all about. A boy from the bush who not only made it in the big smoke but turned the rugby league world upside down,” Walters said of Innisfailbred Slater.
“He changed the way fullbacks play the game. For Queensland to have a player like Slater in the team has been a dream.”
Walters said he was proud Slater had fought back to retire on his terms.
After overcoming a two- year battle with chronic shoulder issues that almost forced him into retirement, Slater’s Origin career appeared over when he missed the cut for 2017’ s Origin I.
A year after almost crying while announcing Slater’s omission and all but calling time on his Origin days, Walters sat next to him yesterday a happy man.