NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler says Billy Slater must be prepared for a number of “commitment” obstacles amid reports linking the legendary fullback to the vacant Maroons head coaching role.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Slater has emerged as the frontrunner to land the head coaching duties of the Maroons in the wake of Paul Green’s shock exit.
Slater, who retired at the end of 2018, was famously sounded out for the role before it was subsequently handed to the former Cowboys coach.
Responding to the news that Slater could be Queensland’s next coach, Fittler revealed how his recent success with the Blues, who have won three of the past four Origin series, comes back to the lessons he learned while coaching at club level.
“There’s a lot I’ve learned over the last four years where without the experience I had at the Roosters, then I would’ve suffered a lot,” Fittler told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports’ Radio.
“The one thing I do when I pick my staff is, I make sure I get an awful lot of NRL club experience involved.
“Craig Fitzgibbon, the trainers, are all deep and embedded in successful clubs.
“There are things that you will miss if you haven’t done coaching before.”
Before taking the Blues job in 2018, Fittler had previous experience as a head coach for his former team the Roosters, between 2007 and 2009. After a successful first season, things turned sour and he was eventually sacked with a 43 per cent win rate.
While the Origin series doesn’t take up the entire NRL season, Fittler revealed his role with New South Wales Rugby League sees him taking on a big commitment, which Slater will need to address before taking on any potential role.
“My commitment to New South Wales goes a lot further than the eight weeks where State of Origin is on. We do a lot with juniors, a lot of travelling… there’s a lot going on behind the scenes,” Fittler added.
“It all depends on what Queensland want.
“If they want someone to be full time, can Billy do it from Melbourne? That’s a commitment in itself.
“He’s a great analyst, he knows the game as good as anyone, it will be interesting to see what happens.”
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