Ballin to join Maroons coaching team as Slater pays tribute to Smith

Queensland Rugby League can today confirm Matt Ballin will join the Queensland Maroons coaching team for the 2024 State of Origin series.

As a proud Queenslander who has worked with the Origin team on game days as well as the state’s Under 19 team, Ballin is well credentialed to take on a greater responsibility with the Maroons following Cameron Smith’s decision to step down from his assistant coaching role.

“I’ve seen a whole heap of value to what Matt brings to our game-day performance,” Maroons head coach Billy Slater said of the Kingaroy junior and former Maroons representative who played 220 NRL matches.

“I’m really excited to work alongside him and continue to help our players prepare to the best of their ability.”

Slater today acknowledged Smith’s enormous input over the past two years.

“I don’t know if there’s anyone who has contributed more to the Queensland Origin team than Cam Smith,” Slater said.

“I’m extremely grateful for his contribution over the last two series. He’s done an incredible job which I’ve seen first hand inside the camp with all the players and coaching staff.”

Smith said he thoroughly enjoyed his time working with the Queensland Origin team.

“I’m very grateful to Billy and the QRL for the opportunity to be a part of the Queensland coaching team,” Smith said.

“It’s been a fantastic two series working with quality players. They’re quality people to work with and they’ve certainly helped me as a rookie assistant coach.

“I was lucky enough to represent the jersey many times but to experience it from a different lens as a coach, and being able to watch this new generation play the way they did and represent the state in the manner in which they did, was highly rewarding.

Smith will remain extremely active in Queensland rugby league circles through his involvement in community footy and the media.

“This year I’ve decided to coach at grassroots level at the Currumbin Eagles,” he said.

“I feel it’s really important to get back to grassroots level because that’s where our next generation of players come from and I remember all the way back to my junior days playing at Logan Brothers, and just how important coaching is at that level.”