Queensland Maroons head coach Billy Slater has sought to quash speculation regarding his future following a surprising Game 3 loss at home.
Having aimed for his fourth Origin series win in five matches on Wednesday night, Slater faced the disappointment of a second defeat in a series decider on his home ground, Suncorp Stadium, in three years.
In the post-game press conference, he was asked about his future, responding that there had been "too much talk" about his position, indicating he would remain unless a more suitable candidate emerged.
"There has been way too much talk about me. This is not about me. I'm here to help this team, and while I feel I can commit to that, I'll be here," Slater stated.
He added, "If someone else is better for the position, I'm more than willing to help them out too."
Expressing his dedication, he remarked, "I said what I said because I mean it. It's not a position for me to want to take long-term; it's a position because I care about this footy team. I did when I was five years old, and I still do today. While I can still help and add value to the team, I'll consider being here."
Slater is rumored to be a potential candidate for the head coaching role at the Melbourne Storm in the future, but his intentions for a full-time coaching career in the NRL remain uncertain.
After the loss, he was asked if he would use this defeat as motivation for his players next year, to which he admitted it felt quite strange.