Billy Slater's move alongside Paul Vautin after Queensland loss in State of Origin

Yahoo

28-01-2025

Queensland coach Billy Slater admits the timing of the Maroons reunion couldn't be better as he looks to bounce back from his state's loss to NSW last year. Queensland legends will meet on Friday to celebrate 30 years since Maroons legend Paul Vautin coached the state to an unlikely 3-0 win over NSW in what is considered the greatest upset in State of Origin history.
And one attendee who could not be more thrilled at the timing of the celebrations is Slater. The legendary Maroons fullback lost his first series as coach last year when Michael Maguire masterminded a 2-1 series victory with the decider at Suncorp.
Slater shut down speculation he would be walking away from the role as he looks to get revenge over NSW. And the Storm great is ready to take revenge and admitted the timing of the celebrations will serve as a reminder to his players how important winning back the shield is to the state.
"I am glad there will be a celebration around the 30 years of what the 1995 team did because all Queenslanders will remember where they watched this series and how this footy team made them feel," Slater said on the reunion. "Thirty years on we are recognising a memorable series for Queenslanders."
Slater admitted it was victories like that of Vautin's team that you remember for the rest of your life as a footy player. And Slater wants to replicate the feat. "It is important to remember," Slater said. "I was 12 years old when this series was played and the inspiration and passion - you carry for the rest of your life.
"Fatty Vautin, coaching his first series up against one of the iconic coaches in our game, Phil Gould, and up against a whole host of stars. There was no Allan Langer and the like in this footy team but they were a group of Queenslanders who went out there and inspired their state against the odds."
The Oriign series was at the time of the Super League war. Ahead of Game 1 in 1995, the ARL ruled up to 11 players from the previous series could not play. This included seven Broncos players.
The Blues had nine Australian representatives and Phil Gould was coaching the team. NSW were 9-1 favourites with experience and star power on their side. Facing a tough situation, the Queensland hierarchy asked Vautin to take over and see if he could inspire the troops facing a star-studded NSW team. And Maroons legend Chris Close, who was the team manager, was left shocked at how Vautin left everyone speechless with his tactics and ability to inspire the troops.
"We arrived for our first camp and Fatty addressed the team and used all his wily ways to enhance and glorify the situation we were in," Close recalled. "Fatty outlined a game plan that no-one expected.
"They expected him to come in as host of The Footy Show and be a clown but it wasn't the moment for that. Fatty has a genuinely gifted footy brain and his game plan was very simple and one that everyone could follow and participate in. All you needed to have was a big heart and a lot of want. He had a group in the room he convinced."
Vautin won't be calling the State of Origin clash for Channel 9 in 2025 having retired from broadcast at the end of last year. The Queensland legend will most likely be in attendance to be honoured for his achievements wearing the Maroon jersey.
Slater does have a number of positions up for grabs in his Queensland team this year with veterans such as Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans' participation not yet decided. Both are in the twilight of their careers and have not guaranteed they will take part in this year's series.