Billy Slater

During a long and decorated career with Melbourne, Queensland and Australia, Billy Slater proved himself one of the best players in the history of rugby league, and arguably the game's finest fullback.

In 14 years in the NRL, Slater overcame career threatening injuries, and emerged as one of the game's statesmen, culminating in his appointment as Queensland coach for the 2022 State of Origin series.

Born at Nambour, he played junior league for Brothers, Innisfail, from the age of four. His father, Ron, had been a handy footballer, playing in the bush, and for Redcliffe in the Brisbane competition.

When he was 15, Billy took a six-month sabbatical to ride trackwork for the famous Waterhouse Stable in Sydney. Homesick, he returned to North Queensland and resumed his football career.

In 2001, he drove to Brisbane to trial with Norths, at the invitation of the club's chief executive, Greg Bandiera, an Innisfail product. That year Slater was named best back in Colts and played two first grade games.

In 2002, he played 23 first grade games for the Devils, scoring 18 tries. By 2003, he had joined fellow Devils' recruits, Cameron Smith, Dallas Johnson and Steve Bell as a fixture at the Storm, and was named NRL Rookie of the Year. Another Norths' Colts team mate, Cooper Cronk made his NRL debut with Melbourne in 2004.

Slater made his Origin debut on the wing in Game I of the 2004 series. In his next Origin appearance, he was named player of the match after scoring two tries, one of them his now famous chip-and-chase effort.

He was chosen at fullback for the 2005 series, but was replaced by Matt Bowen for Game III.

Slater had to wait until 2008 before he got another chance to wear the Maroon. That same year he made his Test debut and won the Golden Boot as International Player of the Year. He went on to play 30 Tests for his country and scored 27 tries. He won nine series with the Maroons, during 12 years of service for Queensland, playing a total of 31 games, scoring 12 tries and winning three Man of the Match awards.

Slater played in his first NRL grand final with the Melbourne Storm in their 16-13 defeat by the Brisbane Broncos in 2006. He went on to play in another six grand finals, and was on the winning side four times.

Slater finished his illustrious career having played 319 NRL games. He was the Storm's Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match in the 2009 grand final.

I was always going to be involved in Origin (in one way or another). It was always part of my life growing up.

Billy Slater FOG #142

In 2011, Slater was the Dally M Medal winner. He holds the record for most tries for the Storm - 190.

In addition to the coaching role with Queensland, Slater has extensive media commitments, and runs a successful business breeding thoroughbred horses.