LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a surprising turn of events, Queensland fans were delighted to hear that Billy Slater had been re-signed for three more years.
This announcement came just hours after Brad Fittler dropped a bombshell and revealed that he was stepping down as NSW coach.
For Maroons fans and players, the news about Slater was a huge relief.
Last month, the Melbourne Storm champion had admitted that he was seriously considering walking away from the job, unsure if it was the best decision for his family.
Slater had always expressed his desire to help the Queensland rugby league team, but he also acknowledged the importance of making sure everything worked for his family.
"Selfishly, I'd love to coach on, that's the easy answer, but I'm a husband, I'm a father, I run a small stud farm, we do that ourselves as a family," he had said in August.
He emphasized that there was more to it than just his personal desire to be the coach of the Queensland rugby league team.
Thankfully, Slater and his wife Nicole have found a way to make it work.
Their commitment and dedication to finding a balance between family and career have paid off.
"Billy was a champion Origin player and knows what it takes to win at that level," said Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin.
With Slater's re-signing, Queensland fans can continue to look forward to his expertise and leadership on the field.