Queensland State of Origin legend Billy Slater has stepped out onto the field for his last game for the Maroons as captain.
Slater will lead Queensland from fullback in his 31st and final game against New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the game, Slater paid tribute to his childhood sweetheart and now wife Nicole, and said he would miss both the intensity of State of Origin as well as the fans.
He reflected on his childhood growing up in Queensland with two loves – rugby league and horses.
Queensland footy legend Billy Slater reflected on his childhood growing up in Queensland with two loves – rugby league and horses (pictured with wife Nicole)
Slater will lead Queensland from fullback in his 31st and final game against New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday night
‘We were a rugby league family. Dad was a good country rugby league player… I’d tag along with the old man to training, learning… up here it’s a way of life,’ he said.
Slater said his grandfather Bill Slater Senior introduced him to horses.
‘When I was 12 I got given an ex-racehorse, I named her Whiskey.’
He left town to work at a stables in Randwick, Sydney but he then became homesick and returned to his hometown.
After a chat with his father, he decided he wanted to make rugby league his career.
In a trial game at Brisbane Norths, he played alongside Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk – three men who would later become key players for both the Melbourne Storm and the Queensland State of Origin team.
The build up to the final game in this year’s series has been dominated by rumours of a rift between Slater and fellow Maroons legend Smith.
Smith posted a farewell message to Slater on Instagram before the game, wishing him ‘best of luck’.
Ahead of the game, Slater paid tribute to his childhood sweetheart and now wife Nicole, and said he would miss both the intensity of State of Origin as well as the fans
‘Special mention to Bill leading the side as skipper in his last game for Queensland. Congratulations to you, Nicole and the family mate, enjoy it!’
The post came after Slater decided to open up on the ‘WAG feud’ that reportedly led to the teammates falling out.
The spat is believed to have stemmed from a dispute between the players’ wives Nicole Slater, Barb Smith and Cooper Cronk’s wife Tara Rushton.
The rumour mill went into overdrive when Cronk appeared to snub Smith with a cold handshake following the Sydney Roosters game against the Melbourne Storm in Adelaide on June 29.
Slater was forced to address reports of the feud on Monday, just two days out from State of Origin III.
Slater insisted he remained ‘OK with everyone’.
‘I’ve got no problems with Cam. Cam and I are fine, Cooper and I are fine,’ he said.
‘I’m not going to stand here and gossip about other people’s relationships. As far as I’m concerned, I’m OK with everyone.’
Slater has been involved in eight series wins with the Maroons, and has scored 12 tries in 30 games.
Slater has been involved in eight series wins with the Maroons, and has scored 12 tries in 30 games