The Billy Slater Podcast

9Podcasts

Origin coach Billy Slater and co-host Peter Psaltis break down winners, losers, players and clubs each week, answering the biggest questions of the round. Raw. Honest. On demand.

  1. Jul 13

    “I Still Love This Footy Team”: Billy Slater and His Origin Future

    Five days after Queensland’s heartbreaking Origin series defeat, Billy Slater opens up on the disappointment of Game Three, the pride he has in his players and the major decision awaiting him over his coaching future. Billy explains why he is in no rush to decide whether he will lead the Maroons in 2027 and reveals what the Queensland team still means to him after five seasons in charge. Billy and Peter Psaltis also break down the incredibly tight race to the NRL finals, why the Broncos face an almost impossible task, the pressure building on Newcastle, why the Dolphins can recover from their 66–0 defeat and the latest turmoil surrounding Jarome Luai and the Wests Tigers. Plus, Billy previews a massive Round 20, including Panthers v Broncos, Roosters v Storm and the Queensland derby between the Dolphins and Cowboys. 00:00 Broncos’ finals hopes are all but over00:22 Welcome and life after Origin01:17 Billy reflects on Queensland’s series defeat03:59 Max Plath proves he belongs in Origin05:11 Sam Walker comes of age06:34 Jojo Fifita’s confidence grows07:37 The small moments that decide Origin09:28 Billy addresses his Queensland coaching future11:03 Why Queensland means more than wins and losses13:18 The NRL run to the finals begins15:40 Breaking down the top of the ladder16:36 The incredibly tight race for the eight17:05 Why the Broncos’ task looks impossible19:38 The teams fighting for a finals position20:17 Pressure builds on the Newcastle Knights22:50 Can the Dolphins recover from 66–0?24:56 Raiders keep their season alive26:32 South Sydney celebrate Jai Arrow’s birthday28:08 Tallis Duncan emerges as a genuine centre29:02 Wayne Bennett’s backline gamble pays off30:50 Rugby league rallies around Jai Arrow33:02 Storm survive a Titans scare35:26 Cooper Clarke’s enormous potential37:04 Sharks make a premiership statement39:43 Jarome Luai and the Tigers’ growing turmoil43:50 Panthers v Broncos preview45:07 Daniel Tupou reaches 300 games46:47 The Roosters’ dangerous right-edge combination47:57 Roosters v Storm preview49:10 Dolphins v Cowboys preview50:41 Billy returns to normal life51:07 An update on Cheryl the deer   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Jun 21

    Billy Slater Reveals Queensland’s Max Plath Contingency Plan

    Billy Slater opens up on the behind-the-scenes planning that helped Queensland handle Cameron Munster’s HIA scare in Origin Game Two. Billy reveals he met with Johnathan Thurston on game day to run through contingencies, including the left-field plan to use Max Plath in the halves if Munster went down. (00:00) Welcome to the Billy Slater Podcast(01:04) The NRL finals race is starting to tighten(01:55) Broncos and Raiders running out of time(03:46) Billy reflects on Queensland’s Origin Game Two win(05:40) Trent Loiero’s impact off the bench(07:02) Sam Walker’s goal-kicking preparation at the MCG(08:09) Billy’s special moment watching Walker, JT and Alfie Langer(09:44) Selwyn Cobbo’s form, happiness and hard work(11:29) The Max Plath contingency plan after Munster’s HIA(12:08) Billy reveals his game-day meeting with Johnathan Thurston(14:37) Why Billy told Max Plath about the plan before kick-off(16:09) Queensland’s “whatever it takes” team mentality(17:43) Queensland heading to Rockhampton before the Origin decider(19:41) Central Queensland’s Origin connections(20:19) Melbourne Storm’s resurgence continues(22:21) Titans stun Penrith as Zane Harrison stands up(24:35) Dolphins show their depth in big win over Tigers(26:47) Should New Zealand have a second NRL team?(28:29) Broncos v Roosters looms as a must-win clash(29:27) Looking ahead to Origin Three week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Jun 1

    Origin Fallout, Dragons Shock the Broncos & Why Sam Walker Is Built for the Big Stage

    Billy Slater breaks down a fascinating halfway point of the NRL season, with the ladder tighter than ever and plenty of contenders emerging. Billy explains why Melbourne's improvement is no coincidence, what impressed him most about Sam Walker's State of Origin debut, and why the Dragons' upset win over Brisbane could prove a season-defining moment. Plus, the Panthers and Warriors battle for top spot, the Raiders flex their muscle, and a full preview of Round 14. (00:00) Welcome to the Billy Slater Podcast(00:31) Halfway Through the Season: The Ladder Tightens(01:54) Melbourne Storm's Improvement and Sua Fa'alogo's Impact(03:09) Why Patience Is Returning to Melbourne's Game(04:06) Roosters Get a Pass After Storm Defeat(05:02) Inside Sam Walker's Origin Debut Preparation(06:29) Handling Success and Origin Expectations(08:13) Coaching Through an Origin Series(09:27) Queensland Selection Watch and Patty Carrigan Injury Update(10:12) Dragons Finally Break Through Against Brisbane(11:58) The Leadership That Sparked St George Illawarra(13:57) Panthers Edge Warriors in a Battle of the Heavyweights(16:25) Raiders Dominate Cowboys Through the Middle(18:13) Jonathan Thurston's Canberra Cold Weather Struggles(19:38) Canberra's Forward Depth(22:19) Tom Dearden's Origin Prospects(23:26) Sharks Hold Off Brave Manly Challenge(24:58) Injury-Hit Eels Earn Respect Against Newcastle(26:54) Jermaine McEwen and Dylan Lucas Flying Under the Radar(28:56) Contrasting Styles Shaping the NRL Premiership Race(30:42) Round 14 Preview: Manly v Rabbitohs(31:44) Storm v Knights and Raiders v Roosters Preview(33:26) Queensland Day Footy: Cowboys v Dolphins & Broncos v Titans(35:01) Sharks v Dragons Derby Preview(36:14) Stories of Origin: Cameron Smith's Favourite Game(40:19) Wrap Up and Farewell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. May 11

    Billy Slater on Origin Selection: “I’ve Never Discussed It With Players… That’s My Responsibility”

    With State of Origin just around the corner, Billy Slater gives a rare insight into the pressure and preparation behind selecting a Queensland team. After Tom Dearden’s injury rocked the Maroons picture, Billy explains why selection decisions sit with him and why he’s been watching every Queensland player closely for the past 10 weeks. Billy and Peter Psaltis break down the Cowboys’ heartbreaking loss to Parramatta, the impact of Dearden’s injury, and the growing debate around Queensland’s halves and bench makeup under the new 19-man squad rules. There’s also a deep dive into the changing speed of the modern game, why recovery and fitness are becoming more important than ever, and whether Origin itself is evolving. Plus, Melbourne finally snap their losing streak, Billy shares a funny airport moment with Terrell May, the Raiders and Panthers produce a classic in Canberra, young halves continue to emerge across the NRL, and Billy opens up emotionally on the Stories of Origin Podcast and the game that meant the most to his hometown of Innisfail. And a Magic Round preview… “schoolies for adults.” Chapters:00:00 – “It feels like Christmas Eve” with Origin and Magic Round approaching01:40 – Cowboys heartbreak against Parramatta04:45 – Tom Dearden injury fallout for Queensland07:00 – Dearden’s Origin story and opportunity for others08:28 – “I’ve never discussed selection with players… that’s my responsibility”09:32 – Magic Round auditions for Queensland hopefuls10:37 – Origin bench strategy and the new 19-man squad13:00 – How the expanded bench could change Origin tactics14:30 – The great Queensland No.7 debate15:54 – “I’ve been watching players for 10 weeks”17:08 – Billy’s detailed preparation behind Origin selection18:19 – Gus Gould on the speed and fatigue of the modern game20:47 – Billy on how Origin evolves with the game22:21 – Storm finally break through with an emotional win24:10 – Billy runs into Terrell May at Melbourne Airport26:16 – Panthers v Raiders delivers high quality footy28:32 – Fatigue, recovery and why the modern game is brutal31:00 – Why consistency is the hardest thing in rugby league33:29 – Joey Walsh’s huge future at Manly35:26 – Titans youngster Zane Harrison impresses Billy36:00 – Why the Titans deserved more against the Roosters39:11 – Josh Hannay building standards at the Titans40:23 – Stories of Origin and Billy’s emotional favourite game43:16 – Billy reflects on Innisfail, family and Queensland pride45:50 – Mel Meninga’s lessons about representing Queensland47:28 – Magic Round preview: “schoolies for adults”48:27 – The games Billy can’t wait to watch at Magic Round See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Origin coach Billy Slater and co-host Peter Psaltis break down winners, losers, players and clubs each week, answering the biggest questions of the round. Raw. Honest. On demand.

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