CAMERON Smith believes rookie Queensland coach Billy Slater can spearhead a Mal Meninga-style Origin dynasty as the retired NRL legend prepares to join forces with his great mate to lead a Maroons fightback.
The Queensland Rugby League is in the advanced stages of negotiations with Smith, who declared he is ready to return to Camp Maroon and help his former Storm, Test and Origin teammate Slater inflict more misery on Brad Fittler’s Blues.
Smith, the most-capped player in Origin history with 42 appearances, and Slater were key architects of Queensland’s golden era, when former coach Meninga steered the Maroons to nine series wins in a decade between 2006-15.
Now the band is coming back together, with Smith keen to work with Slater and assistant Johnathan Thurston as Queensland’s Big Three re-unite – off the field this time – to plot NSW’s downfall.
New South Wales have shown ominous signs of a sky-blue dynasty after winning three of the past four series, including last year’s domination of the Maroons, but Smith believes Slater will surprise people in his debut as an Origin coach in 2022.
“I am absolutely keen to help Billy out,” said Smith, FOG No.140.
“Billy is one of my closest mates, and it’s not only helping the football side, it’s wanting to help out my good mate as well.
“I want to make sure I give Billy a successful start to his coaching career. I’d like to see him coach the Queensland team for a long time like Mal Meninga did and enjoy success with the Maroons.
“If I’m someone he would like to talk to or confide in or ask for advice, I will certainly be available to him anytime.”
Smith, who played a record 430 NRL games and captained Queensland to six Origin series wins, confirmed he had been approached by Slater.
“When Billy first contacted me about the opportunity, I was chuffed that he made the phone call,” he said.
“He felt I could add some value to the footy team.
“And looking at the Queensland Maroons right now, it’s an exciting time for the team.

“They are coming off a series loss last year. A lot was said about their performances, but I see that there is a lot of improvement in the footy side, so if I’m able to help out in any capacity, I am willing to do that.
“It’s a jersey that I was very fortunate to wear for quite some time. It’s a jersey I am passionate about and I am passionate about Queensland and the people that follow Queensland Rugby League.

“Like Billy, I want to see the team be successful.”
Smith, who now resides on the Gold Coast with his wife and three kids, says there are some hurdles to clear before his Origin return is formalised.
“We are working through his idea of what my role would be in the Queensland side,” Smith said.
“I raised a few concerns with him as well. I have some pre-existing commitments away from football that I have to make sure I can fulfil and, if I was involved in the Queensland side, that those commitments won’t be affected.
“There are also things going on with the Covid virus and lockdowns around sporting organisations and competitions.

“It’s not something I’m overly keen to be involved with again – I was involved with Covid bubbles during my time at the Storm in 2020, and I don’t want to be in lockdowns or bubbles again.
“But if I take on any role with the team, I will be taking it seriously.”
Smith has long been touted as a future Queensland Origin coach by virtue of his pedigree and peerless football brain.

But the 38-year-old says it’s unlikely he will coach at the top level, with Smith preferring to work one-on-one with players as a consultant.
“Small roles are what suits me,” he said.
“My children are still relatively young, my youngest is only nine, so that’s the one aspect I have really enjoyed about retirement – I’ve been able to drop the kids off at school and pick them up, be able to attend their junior sporting events and go on family holidays.
“At the moment, smaller roles where I can help out suits my life. But when the kids grow up and they don’t want a bar of dad, maybe I can do a bit more coaching.
“I can’t see myself being an NRL coach. I saw the work and the stress Craig Bellamy (Storm head coach) had at Melbourne, and I don’t think that’s for me.
“I love the game, I love rugby league, and I enjoy helping young people improve as players.”