On the eve of State of Origin Game Two in Perth, Queensland coach Billy Slater delivered a scathing rebuke of former New South Wales forward Aaron Woods, who last week labelled Slater a “grub” in a Sydney radio interview. In a passionate press conference at Perth Stadium, Slater invoked the memory of late Maroons coach Paul Green and challenged the notion that former players-turned-pundits have an unfettered right to demean current figures in the game. His comments mark one of the most fiery exchanges in the long-running Queensland–New South Wales rivalry, and set the stage for a tense contest on Wednesday night.
Background: Aaron Woods’s Critique and Media Commentary
Aaron Woods, who played 16 Origin matches for NSW between 2013 and 2018, only recently embarked on a media career following his retirement in 2022. In an interview on radio station 2GB, Woods described Slater’s on-field incident in 2006—when then-Wests Tigers prop John Skandalis was kicked during play—as evidence that Slater could be characterised as a “grub.” The remark prompted headlines but initially attracted muted response from the Queensland camp. However, as Game Two loomed, Slater elected to confront the criticism head-on.
Press Conference Setting and Context
On Tuesday afternoon, a crowd of journalists, team officials and local fans gathered in the media suite at Perth Stadium. The occasion was billed as a routine pre-game coach’s briefing, but the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Origin debutant Tom Dearden, recalled to partner halfback Daly Cherry-Evans at No.7, and slotted fullback Valentine Holmes were among the players milling in the background. Slater, dressed in Maroons training gear, fielded questions about team changes, tactical adjustments and his own pressure levels before turning the spotlight on Woods.
Invoking Paul Green: A Personal and Emotional Appeal
Slater prefaced his response by referencing Paul Green, the 2021 Queensland coach who tragically took his own life in 2022. Green’s passing, later attributed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, loomed large over the Maroons community. Slater drew a direct line between Green’s memory and his own stand against public denigration. “Paul was a person of great character,” Slater said. “He carried himself with integrity both on and off the field. I think about him often, and I know what he means to this jersey and to our people.”
The Privilege and Responsibility of the Media Platform
Slater issued a broader challenge to former players who have transitioned to media roles. He emphasised that occupying a platform with millions of listeners and viewers carries responsibilities that extend beyond airing personal grudges. “When you hold a position in the media or in our game, I feel that’s a privilege,” he said. “With that privilege comes a responsibility. You’re not talking to your mates in the pub. You are speaking to countless young athletes who look up to you. You’re speaking to families, to supporters, to people who hold the game in their hearts.”
Slater’s Rallying Speech to Woods
Turning his address into a direct appeal to Woods, Slater noted their recent off-field encounter. “I actually ran into Aaron Woods three or four weeks ago at a footy game. He didn’t voice that opinion then. He welcomed me. He introduced his son to me.” Slater’s point was clear: Woods had chosen the anonymity of a studio to launch a personal attack rather than addressing the matter in person. “If you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don’t deserve one of those privileged positions that we’re all in,” Slater declared. The comment drew applause from assembled media and visiting fans, but Slater continued, underscoring his belief that words have consequences.
Mental Health and the Impact of Public Criticism
Slater reminded listeners that personal attacks can inflict real harm, particularly on those already battling mental-health challenges. “You don’t know what people are going through,” he said. “And although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be. Maybe our last coach didn’t.” The reference to Paul Green’s battle with undiagnosed brain injury resonated with sports communities nationwide, many of which are grappling with player welfare amid the long-term impacts of head trauma.
Character in Sport: Respect, Empathy and Sportsmanship
Drawing his remarks to a close, Slater offered a definition of character that extended beyond on-field performance. “I believe the character of a person is judged more on what they say about people and how they treat people, than on individual plays,” he said. Origin icon Michael O’Connor, in the room to support Slater, nodded in agreement. By tying respect for opponents and colleagues to the highest virtues of the game, Slater framed sportsmanship as a non-negotiable expectation for those who have shared Origin’s grandest stage.
Team News and Tactical Preview for Game Two
After addressing the Woods controversy, Slater shifted focus to his squad’s preparation for Wednesday’s crucial clash. Queensland trail the series 1–0 after a 26–18 defeat in Sydney, and a loss in Perth would hand New South Wales an unassailable 2–0 lead. Slater confirmed that fullback Valentine Holmes will move to No.1, with Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, as part of a reshuffle designed to inject attacking spark. Rookie hooker Reece Walsh retains his place at No.7, partnering with co-captain Daly Cherry-Evans after the latter was initially omitted but later reinstated under pressure from senior staff.
Adapting to Perth Conditions and Opposition Threats
Slater acknowledged the unique challenges Perth Stadium presents—dry, fast turf that favours expansive footwork and quick play-the-balls. He emphasised conditioning drills to combat the ground’s abrasive surface and to sharpen ball-handling under fatigue. The Maroons also analysed NSW’s improved defensive line speed from Game One, intending to run sharper attacking shapes and edge out middle-third gains. Veteran forward Tom Gilbert has been tasked with bolstering the ruck collision area, while Dwelling Grey and Selwyn Cobbo will seek to exploit one-on-one mismatches out wide.
Pressure in State of Origin: Embracing the Spotlight
Early in the press conference, a spectator shouted, “You’re under pressure, Billy!” Slater’s response distilled his coaching philosophy. “What is pressure? To me, the opposite of pressure is comfort,” he said. Origin, he noted, is the ultimate high-stakes environment, where every decision and every play is magnified. “You either earn that pressure or you don’t,” he said. “To be here is a privilege. And the day there’s no pressure, I’ll be a bit worried.”
Legacy and Future Prospects for Slater and the Maroons
At just 41, Slater is among the youngest coaches in Origin history, yet he carries the weight of Queensland’s extraordinary winning tradition. From 2006 to 2017, the Maroons won eight straight series under coaches Mal Meninga and Wayne Bennett. Slater’s challenge is to restore that dominance after a surprise 2023 series loss and last week’s Game One defeat. A victory in Perth would keep Queensland’s legacy alive and reaffirm Slater’s standing as both a tactical innovator and a guardian of Origin’s storied culture.
Anticipation and Ticketing for Perth Stadium
With over 50,000 tickets sold, Perth Stadium is poised for a near-capacity crowd. Local fans—many new to Origin—have embraced the spectacle, selling out hospitality packages and pre-match fan zones. Western Australia continues its emergence as a major rugby-league market, underlined by the State Government’s decision to host both Game Two and Game Three in Perth for the first time. Ticket demand has skyrocketed on resale platforms, demonstrating Origin’s broad appeal beyond the traditional eastern-seaboard strongholds.
Conclusion: A Series on the Line and Emotions Running High
As the Maroons and Blues prepare for a series-defining contest on Wednesday night, emotions are running high off the field as well as on it. Billy Slater’s pointed call-out of Aaron Woods has underscored the intensity of Origin’s cultural battleground, where former players-turned-media figures wield considerable influence. Slater’s insistence on respect, empathy and character adds a moral dimension to Queensland’s physical retooling. With the series hanging in the balance and state pride on the line, Game Two promises not only fierce tackles and last-ditch tries but also a reaffirmation of the values that make State of Origin the pinnacle of Australian sport. The Maroons must channel Slater’s rallying cry and Green’s enduring spirit if they are to wrest momentum back from their rivals and keep Queensland’s legacy alive in Perth.
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