Billy Slater

At 40 years old, Billy Slater has this physical status:

William 'Billy' Slater (born 18 June 1983) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s.

An Australian international and one-time captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, he played his entire club career in the National Rugby League for the Melbourne Storm, with whom he played in seven NRL Grand Finals.

Slater also set the club's record for most ever tries and NRL record for most ever tries by a fullback.

He amassed 190 NRL tries during his career which is currently 2nd most of all time, behind Ken Irvine.

Slater also won two grand finals, the Clive Churchill Medal and the Dally M Medal with the Storm.

With the Kangaroos he was the 2008 World Cup's top try-scorer and player of the tournament and won the 2008 Golden Boot Award as the World player of the year.

Slater was also the winner of the television game show Australia's Greatest Athlete in 2009 and 2010.

Personal life

Slater lives in Melbourne with his wife, Nicole Slater (née Rose). They were married in Cairns in November 2009 and have two children, a daughter, Tyla Rose and a son, Jake.

Billy Slater participated in the television show Australia's Greatest Athlete and was the winner for both Season 1 (broadcast on Channel 9) and Season 2 (on Channel 7) against a diverse range of athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Steve Hooker, ironman Ky Hurst and V8 Supercar champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes.

A regular contributor to Canterbury Junior Football Club in Melbourne, Slater also frequently gives up his time to help other Junior Sport Programs around Australia.

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Playing career

In 2003, Slater started playing for the Melbourne Storm. Slater made his first grade NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium in Round 1 of the 2003 NRL season. Slater got off the wing and scored a try in Melbourne's 36–32 win after overcoming a 220-0 deficit early in the first half. Slater played his first match for the Storm against the Penrith Panthers in Round 2 at Olympic Park, scoring 2 tries. Slater started in Round 8 against the Brisbane Broncos before going back to fullback in Round 10, the Storms 36-16 loss at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. Slater spent the remainder of the year at full speed. He was named Dally M Rookie of the Year after a stellar debut season (although the awards were canceled in protest). Slater was the Storm's highest try scorer in the 2003 NRL season, scoring 19 tries in their 26 matches.

In game one of the 2004 State of Origins series, Slater made his wing debut for Queensland. Slater's first game in QLD's 9–8 loss at ANZ Stadium was a tense but good start. Slater stayed on the team for the second game of the season at Suncorp Stadium. Slater was named man of the match in game two, just days shy of his 21st birthday. His second attempt at Origins is regarded as one of the finest individual Origin attempts ever attempted. Slater scuffed the ball over blues fullback Anthony Minichiello, trailing 12-10 and scoring in QLD's 22–18 victory. Slater scored a try in the decider, but he was unable to prevent a Brad Fittler-inspired New South Wales side from clinching the series in QLD's 36-14 loss. Slater's club form helped his team finish 6th on the ladder, defeating the Brisbane Broncos 31-14 at Suncorp Stadium in the first game of the finals before succumbing to eventual premiers the Canterbury Bulldogs 43–18 at SFS. In the 2004 NRL season, Slater appeared in 22 games and scored 14 points for the Storm. He was selected in the Kangaroo squad to tour Europe, but he was unable to participate in the tour due to a lack of funds.

In his third NRL season, Slater was once more impressive. Slater was selected for the Queensland State of Origin team once more, this time in his new position of fullback. Slater played in Sydney for the second time after Andrew Johns' return to the team that sparked a victory for New South Wales. Despite losing the game 32–22, Slater used a knock-on from the Blues Anthony Minichiello to score a long field goal during the game. For the deciding third game in Brisbane that resulted in outrage from some Maroons fans, Slater was kicked from the Queensland side. With injuries and suspensions, Slater had to wait three years for his second chance at State of Origin. Slater's superb form from 2005-1998 saw him top the try scoring charts with 20 tries in 21 games for the Storm. Melbourne flocked in the first game of the season, defeating the Brisbane Broncos 24–18 before losing the Storms 24-16. SFS was an in-form North Queensland Cowboys team.

Slater's 2006 campaign was less fruitful. In Round 4 for seven matches for kicking Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis, but the team still had two tries in the game. Injuries and suspensions have kept Slater out of contention for a job in the Queensland team in 2006. Slater only played 25 minutes of the second half against the Sydney Roosters in Round 13, a comeback game that was later found guilty of using a risky throw on Roosters centre Ryan Cross. Slater was suspended for two games. Melbourne Storm manager Craig Bellamy decided to give Slater some warm-up matches for his return to first grade with both North Sydney Bears (Melbourne's feeder club in the NSWRL Premier League) and North Sand Devils (Melbourne's feeder club in the Queensland Cup). When the Storm defeated the Brisbane Broncos 10–4 at Olympic Park, Slater made his NRL comeback in Round 18 playing his preferred fullback position. Slater was suspended for a second match match against the Wests Tigers in Round 22 of the Storms' 46–4 victory at Olympic Park, his third suspension for the season. In Round 25 against the Canberra Raiders, Slater returned to the main line-up in the Storms' 22-18 victory. The Storm returned to the Brisbane Broncos a few weeks later, this time in the 2006 NRL Grand Finals. It was Slater's first game in Melbourne's first grand final loss after losing 15–8 to a Broncos squad in a Melbourne player's farewell NRL match before heading to the ESL. In the 2006 NRL season, Slater played in 15 games and scored 5 points for the Storm.

Slater had a slow start to the 2007 season. In Round 8, he suffered a serious cheekbone injury against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles when he attempted to discharge former teammate Matt Orford's kick and collided with teammate Sam Tagataese in Melbourne's 13–12 loss at Brookvale Oval. Slater returned from injury in Round 17 and became a key cog in the Storm's back line, scoring over 20 tries per season. Slater played his 100th NRL match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium in Round 21. Slater was a member of the Melbourne Storm 2007 NRL Grand Final winning squad at Fullback, defeating the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 34–8, who were later suspended from them for breaching the salary cap. In the 2007 NRL season, Slater appeared in 23 games and scored 12 points for the Storm. Slater received the Storms Back of the Year Award. Slater was chosen at Fullback in the Melbourne Storm Team of the Decade during the postseason.

Slater's 2008 debut can be described as nothing short of spectacular. He scored three tries in Melbourne's 32–18 Round 1 victory at Etihad Stadium, one at SFS in Round 3, a 10–6 loss to the Sydney Roosters and two others at Olympic Park in Melbourne's 26–4 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Slater's career got off to a good start by the season, winning accolades from league analysts Laurie Daley and Andrew Johns as the best player in the game. Slater's form was rewarded when he was selected at fullback for the Australian national team in the Centenary Test against New Zealand, dislacing incumbent Brett Stewart. In Australia's 28–12 victory at SCG, Slater had a modest game in attack for Australia but proved his worth by making several try-saving tackles. Despite running over 220 meters and a line break that almost resulted in a scramble for Queensland, Slater was selected to represent Queensland once more in the 2008 State of Origin series, this time displacing incumbent Karmichael Hunt from fullback to five-eighth, Slater had a mixed result for Queensland, this time excluding completes in a running over two weeks. Queensland then lost, 18–10. Slater returned from Game 2 but was forced to the interchange bench before being replaced by Karmichael Hunt 30 minutes into the match at ANZ Stadium. In Game 2 of QLD's 30–0 victory in Brisbane, Slater played off the interchange bench. Slater debuted from the interchange bench in Game 3; Karmichael Hunt launched at full speed. With Karmichael Hunt switching to five eighth, Slater returned to full speed after a fractured arm to Scott Prince at the 17-minute mark. With his first touch and kick return of the game, Slater snapped the line. He was outstanding under the high ball, thwarting many attacking kicks. With just 10 minutes to go, Johnathan Thurston cracked the New South Wales line, drawing in the fullback before giving the ball to Slater, who then ran the ball for the match-winning goal and a 16–10 victory. It was Slater's first series victory for Queensland. In Round 19, Slater was involved in an all-in brawl against the St George Il lawarra Dragons in a match against the Storms 26–0 victory at Olympic Park. Jason Nightingale, a winger, was banned for punching multiple punches at him. After being told that Nightingale had prompted him with several headbutts during the match, he had his two-match suspension reduced to one match.

Slater was selected in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 World Cup in August 2008. Slater barely missed out on the Dally M Medal, Player of the Year, finishing 2 points behind Matt Orford of the Sea Eagles in September 2008. Slater's time in Round 19 was reduced by three points from his total count, which would have earned him the trophy. Slater was named Melbourne's Player of the Year days after playing in the 2008 NRL Grand Final 40–0 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In the 2008 NRL season, Slater played in 24 matches and scored 14 goals for the Storm. Slater ended a fantastic year by winning the Rugby League World Golden Boot Award as the best player in the country. He was also named in 2008 as the Rugby League International Federation's Best Player of the Year award.

Slater was selected in the final 24-man Australian squad in October 2008, but he and his wife were preparing their first child. In the 2008 World Cup, Slater continued to play fullback for Australia, scoring hat-tricks in matches against England (52–0 victory at SFS). Billy Slater received the Man of the Match twice in the tournament for his efforts in both games. About midway through the second half of the World Cup finals, Slater, who had arranged Australia's first two attempts, made a serious mistake, throwing a wild pass back in field after struggling to go the short side from a kick back, but Benji Marshall took it up for a gift four-pointer. Despite the fact that Melbourne teammate Greg Inglis bought them back within two points with a try, a penalty attempt by Joel Monaghan denied them any chance of a comeback. Despite his costly mistake and Australia losing the game 34-20 to New Zealand, Slater was named Player of the Tournament in Brisbane following the World Cup final. Slater was also the top tryscorer in the competition with seven tries.

In the Kangaroos' 38–10 redemption victory over New Zealand, Slater was selected for Australia in the 2009 Anzac Test match at fullback against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium. He was selected in the preliminary 25-man squad to represent Queensland in the first State of Origins 2009 match, and was then named at fullback for the opening State of Origins match. In Queensland's 28-18 victory in Sydney, Slater was the first attempt scorer in the 2009 State of Origin Series scoring. Slater appeared in two other games in Queensland's 2009 champion State of Origins team. Slater played 150th NRL match against the North Queensland Cowboys at Olympic Park in Round 22. Melbourne finished fourth on the NRL table and venged their 2008 Grand Final loss to Manly by defeating them 40-12 in the first week of the finals at Etihad Stadium. Slater's four try haul earned him man of the match honours. In Melbourne's 40–10 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the preliminary final, Slater became only the second Melbourne player to do so after Matt Geyer.

The Melbourne Storm took the Grand Final over the Parramatta Eels 23-16 next week. This was also suspended from Melbourne for systemic wage bribery. Slater earned the Clive Churchill Medal after scoring a try and being judged best on the ground. Slater was named the Storms best tryscorer in the 2009 NRL season, winning 18 tries in 26 games. Slater was named Melbourne's Player of the Year for the second year in a row, making it the second year in a row that he has been named. He was named as the first 'Player of the Finals' award by the Rugby League Writers' Association in the off-season.

In the 2009 Four Nations tournament in Europe, Slater started the season off by selecting Australia for the first time in the year. Slater appeared in the first two matches against New Zealand and then England. In Australia's 46-16 victory over England in the final, Slater scored three tries and also tapped the ball back in field, setting up a try for teammate Cameron Smith.

Slater was selected to play for Australia at full throttle in their 12–8 victory over New Zealand at AAMI Park in 2010. Despite Melbourne's demise of their 2007 and 2009 premierships as a result of a salary cap breach, Slater was able to keep his Clive Churchill Medal. Slater was also involved in Queensland's 3–0 whitewash in the 2010 State of Origins series, earning the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series. He saved a particular try in the third match before scoring the match-turning and winning try with five minutes remaining in Queensland's 23-18 victory in Sydney. In the Storms' drama-filled 2010 NRL season, Slater appeared in 22 games and scored 10 tries. Slater was selected in the Australian 2010 Four Nations squad in the post-season. In the Kangaroos 16-12 Nations Final Match loss to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium, Slater scored three tries in three games, including scoring a try.

Slater scored two times in Round 2 against the Gold Coast Titans, defeating them 40–12 for AAMI Park, breaking the record for the number of tries scored for Melbourne Storms with 114, which was previously held by Matt Geyer with 113 attempts. Slater was selected to play for Australia at fullback in the Kangaroos' 20–10 victory over New Zealand at Cbus Super Stadium in 2011. As fullback for the Queensland Maroons, Slater appeared in all three 2011 State of Origin matches. In Game 1 of Brisbane's 16-12 victory, Slater scored in the last ten minutes of Game 1 and then scored in Game 3's 34–24 series winning match in Brisbane. Slater played his 200th NRL game against the St George Illawarra Dragons at AAMI Park in Round 24. The Melbourne Storm won the minor premiership but were defeated 20-12 by the New Zealand Warriors in the Preliminary Final at AAMI Park, bringing an end to Slater's season. Slater was awarded the 2011 Dally M Medal for the best and fairest player of the year in the NRL. Following the Dally M Medal awarding, there was a lot of talk about Slater's progress. Ray Warren said he "didn't think Slater was as good a player as he had been in the past," while Andrew Johns characterized him as "the best fullback he has seen" on Slater. Slater, the Storms joint top tryscorer with 12 tries alongside Cooper Cronk and Matt Duffie in the 2011 NRL season, after being active in 24 matches. Slater was selected for the Australian Kangaroos in the 2011 Rugby League Four Nations tournament as a fullback on October 3rd. For the second time while on tour, Slater was named the Rugby League International Federation's National Player of the Year. After Australia's 36-20 victory over England at Wembley Stadium, Slater sustained a collarbone injury and was ruled out of the tournament. Slater appeared in three matches of the series.

Slater made the year by scoring 9 tries in 5 games, including 2 tries per game in the first 4 rounds of the season.

Slater was selected to play at full speed in the Kangaroos 20–12 victory over New Zealand at Eden Park in the Anzac Test. Slater was Queensland's fullback for Games 1 and 2 of the 2012 State of Origin series, which saw the Maroons record winning streak stretch to seven seasons. Slater's 2012 NRL season ended with him scoring 16 tries in 21 games for the Storm, making him the highest fullback try scorer in the NRL with 140 tries, beating former holder Rhys Wesser with 129 runs. In Melbourne's 14–4 premiership victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where Slater was bitten in the ear by James Graham during a scuffle. At 1300SMILES Stadium, the Slater was selected at fullback for the Kangaroos October Test against New Zealand. The Kangaroos won the match 18-10.

In 2012, Slater, an established ambassador for Adidas, appeared in a campaign for their F50 adizero III boots alongside Dale Thomas of Australia Rules and European football (soccer) player David Villa.

In Melbourne's 2013 World Club Challenge 18–14 victory over Leeds Rhinos, Slater scored his first attempt. In the Kangaroos' 32-12 victory over New Zealand at Canberra Stadium, Slater played at fullback for Australia in the 2013 Anzac Test. In 2013, Slater won all three games of the 2013 State of Origin collection, extending Queensland's record for consecutive series victories to eight. Slater was the eighth player in Canberra to score 150 points in Round 21 against the Canberra Raiders, winning by 2 points. Slater was the Storm's highest tryscorer in the 2013 NRL season, with 18 tries in 24 games. Slater was selected in Australia's 24-man squad for the 2013 World Cup, where Australia defeated New Zealand 34–2 at Old Trafford, where Slater scored 2 goals. In the tournament, Slater played in 4 matches and scored 4 tries.

Slater won by a margin of 250 games against the Penrith Panthers in Round 2 of Round 2 at AAMI Park, beating the Penrith Panthers by 18–17. In the Kangaroos' 30–18 victory over New Zealand at SFS, Slater played at fullback for Australia in the 2014 Anzac Test. Slater appeared in all three games of the 2014 State of Origin series, in which Queensland lost the series 2–1, the first series the NSW Blues has won since the 2005 series. Slater defeated the Newcastle Knights 32–30 in Round 22 of the Storms' 32–30 loss at Hunter Stadium, placing him third in the top tryscoring rankings. With him playing in 22 games and scoring 12 tries, Slater finished the Storm's 2014 NRL season. Slater was selected for the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train on squad on September 9, 2014, but he had to cancel due to sickness.

Slater debuted in the first 5 rounds of the season in the 2015 season. He sustained a shoulder injury in the Storm's 30–14 home game victory over the Warriors, resulting in him missing the next four weeks, including the Kangaroos' annual Trans-Tasman Test match against the Kiwis, with Greg Inglis filling his Fullback role. He returned to action in round 8, putting together a good 80-minutes man-of-the-match effort against the Parramatta Eels, scoring 2 tries and delivering a try-saving tackle on Semi Radradra.

Slater played for Queensland in Game 1 and Game 2 of the 2015 State of Origins series due to a shoulder injury (not 100% recovered) from the Storm's Round 5 game (in April) that resulted in his being disqualified from the Trans-Tasman ANZAC Test. Slater was disqualified from Origin Game 3 (the decider) and the remainder of the 2015 NRL season after the Storms' Round 10 match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 16–12 victory at AAMI Park and subsequent game 2 of the 2015 State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, due to his painful injured shoulder (he first suffered in April). Greg Inglis for Queensland for game 3 of the Origin Decider, while Cameron Munster, who had a stellar year for the Storm, filled Slater's coveted Fullback position. Slater completed the season with his only appearances and two tries for the Storm.

Slater was a late withdrawer from the Storm's round 2 match against the Titans and an arthroscope later this year, before pulling up sore following the Storm's victory over the Dragons. Cameron Munster's Melbourne Storm Fullback role was filled again by rumors surrounding his playing future after the shoulder reconstruction.

Darius Boyd filled both Australia (during the International Trans-Tasman ANZAC Test match, which was played at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium) and Queensland (for the State of Origin Series). Despite being out of action, he regretted his participation in Queensland's State of Origins' victorious campaign, as well as closely assisting him with the backs and coaching him.

Slater also missed out on Storm's Grand Final home-away-from-home match against the Cronulla Sharks and Australia's lucrative Four Nations campaign, as well as missing the first ever Perth International Rugby League Trans-Tasman Test match.

During the 2016 State of Origins series for Queensland, Slater was given (and received) the Peter Jackson Medal for his efforts in assisting Kevin Walters with the teaching.

In the Storm's trial match versus the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at North Hobart Oval in Hobart, Tasmania, Slater was expected to return to action. However, coach Craig Bellamy opted to place him in the first two rounds of the 2017 season, and Slater had to wait until round 3 to return to action. Slater started from the bench and played for 52 minutes in Round 3 of the Brisbane Broncos, making his comeback against the Brisbane Broncos. He started at Fullback in the Storm's 22–14 victory over the West Tigers, who were playing 80 minutes at Leichhardt Oval, his first full-game and away game.

In Round 9, Slater finally ended his long-scoring drought by scoring two tries in a strong man-of-the-match effort over the Dragons. This was the first time he had scored a double of tries since round 9 of the 2015 season. Despite being back from injury, Slater was left out of the Australian Kangaroos Test Squad for the International Trans-Tasman Test Match to New Zealand, with coach Mal Meninga choosing to remain loyal and stick with Darius Boyd at Fullback, as well as the players from last year's highly successful Four Nations campaign.

Slater played his first game in Queensland since round 4 of the 2015 season (versus the Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville) for 8 runs (144 meters), 2 line-breaks, and a line-break assist; despite the Storm barely losing 36-38 to the Titans. Despite missing Game 3 (the decider) of the 2015 State of Origin series and last year's Game 2 of the 2016 State of Origin series, this was his first game at Suncorp Stadium since the Brisbane Broncos' 2014 season.

Slater was supposed to return to the Queensland Squad for the 2017 State of Origins series, but Greg Inglis was already sidelined and ruled out of the season due to a season-ending knee injury. Despite this, coach Kevin Walters opted to stay with Darius Boyd at Fullback, keep Justin O'Neill at right center, Dane Gagai at right wing, and bring in Will Chambers to play left center, with him being controversially left out of the Game 1 Squad. Slater continued his good work during Queensland's Origin Game 1 loss to New South Wales, assisting the Storm in wins over the Knights and Sharks. He was then called back to the Queensland team, along with Johnathan Thurston, who was recalled as the incumbent Australian Test Fullback Boyd moved to Centre and Justin O'Neill was suspended from the team.

Slater's excellent effort in Game 2 of the Origin Series, where he competed with Johnathan Thurston and Darius Boyd; and the game-winning bid to right winger Dane Gagai (the first attempt of the game to debutant left winger Valentine Holmes), helped QLD beat NSW by a single point. Slater stayed in the squad for game 3 and put on another good show in the decider's NRL one-club spine combo, teaming up with Storm teammates Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, and Cameron Munster to lead QLD to a series of victories over NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

Slater played his first NRL final series appearance since 2014 (despite missing the 2015 and 2016 play-offs due to shoulder surgery) and his debut in the 2nd half of the NRL's all-time top try-scorer.

Slater was on a 0-1 victory in the Storm's Grand Final qualifier match against the Parramatta Eels on week 2 of the NRL Final Series, with the Storm winning by 18–16 in the first week of the season, with the Storm leading to the Grand Finals and beating Steve Menzies as the game's second highest top try scorer in the game (behind another former Manly Sea Eagles player Ken Irvine, who had scored 212 tries).

Slater was named Fullback of the Year at the NRL Dally M Awards Competition on September 27, leading up to the Grand Final.

Slater led the Melbourne Storm to victory in the 2017 NRL Premiership, beating the North Queensland Cowboys 34–6. Slater was playing in the Grand Final at ANZ Stadium on October 1st; Slater put on an outstanding show leading the Melbourne Storm to victory (their first Premiership since 2012). Following the game, he was honoured with the Clive Churchill Medal as the best player on the field. Slater was selected in the Australian Test Squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Championships two days after winning in the Grand Finals. He also signed a one-year contract, committing to the Melbourne Storm for the 2018 season.

Slater scored a try and put on an excellent man-of-the-match performance in Melbourne's 18-4 victory over England in his first international test match for Australia since 2014, playing at Fullback. In Australia's 51-6 win over France over the weekend, he tied for the tournament's Top Try-Scorer in Rugby League World Cup history, defeating Jarryd Hayne in his second appearance and scoring his 13th World Cup goal (his 24th Test-Career Try) in the tournament's Top Try-Scorer in Canberra. For the Lebanon match in Sydney, Coach Mal Meninga decided to put Slater to bed, bringing the play-offs. Slater then returned to the starting line-up at Fullback for the quarter-finals, scoring a try in Australia's 46-0 victory over Samoa in Darwin. In the 52–6 victory over Suncorp Stadium, he was involved in Australia's semi-final game against Fiji, scoring 2 tries (resulting in him breaking the all-time World Cup Try-Scoring Record; scoring his 16th World Cup attempt as well as his 27th Test attempt). Slater was a key role in Australia's 6–0 victory over England, playing fullback and delivering another fine show in the green-and-gold jersey.

Slater started the season by being ruled out of the Round 1 game (to the Bulldogs in Perth) due to injury. In Round 2, he returned to action in his 300th NRL game during the West Tigers' 8-0 loss in AAMI Park in Round 2.

During a home Round 6 game against the Newcastle Knights, where he was accused of diving which caused second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon to be suspended. Although Slater had the right to go for a quick tap because he was outside the 10-meter yard, many disapproved when Fitzgibbon stuck out his hand out on shoulder lightly to get Slater to the deck. Both followers and social media followers were concerned about the physics of Slater's fall, prompting accusations of diving.

During Cameron Smith's suspension, Slater captained the Melbourne Storm for the first time in his NRL career, as well as the Manly Sea Eagles' 4–24 loss during Round 11.

After the 2018 State of Origins series, Slater revealed his intention to leave representative football, but he was yet to make a decision on playing only at the club level in 2019.

Slater had intended to participate in the Origin series at the MCG but he was forced to withdraw from the Game 1 squad due to a hamstring injury in what would have been his last Origin match in Melbourne. Despite Queensland losing game 2 and the sequence in New South Wales' home game victory at ANZ Stadium, he returned from injury in game 2 to play his 30th Origin game, putting on an outstanding showing.

Slater was voted captain for game 3 after suffering from a fallout with Queensland teammate and captain Greg Inglis. Queensland beat Suncorp Stadium 18–12, avoiding a potential 3–0 series whitewash by New South Wales. Slater led Queensland to an 18–12 triumph, securing a new South Wales victory. Despite only being involved in two of the three Origin games and Queensland's overall series loss, Slater received the Wally Lewis Medal for his efforts.

Slater announced on August 8th that he would be retiring from the NRL at the end of the 2018 season. On September 30, 2018, he played his last game, a grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Post-playing career

Slater joined St Kilda, an Australian Football League (AFL) club, on October 10th, 2018 in a leadership role. In 2019, the Nine Network's NRL commentary team announced the renaming of the Northern Stand of AAMI Park to Slater Stand. Slater was chosen at Fullback in the Queensland Maroons team of the decade on August 30, 2019. Billy was first appointed as the Queensland Maroons Head Coach on a two-year contract on September 24, 2021.

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