LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Matty Johns has praised Billy Slater's coaching as pivotal in Queensland's 24-12 victory over New South Wales in the State of Origin series, calling it "one of the very best coaching performances" in the event's history.
He highlighted Queensland's "defensive energy" as overwhelming for the Blues, whose "inability to adjust" contributed to their defeat.
Johns noted Slater's strategic decision to target NSW winger Zac Lomax early in the decider, a tactic that proved effective in the game's early stages.
While Lomax is a strong performer with the ball, frequently racking up run metres, he was caught out defensively during the Maroons' first try.
Lomax rushed out to tackle Origin debutant Gehemat Shibasaki but missed, leading to a try by Xavier Coates.
"With or without the ball, they just went at us with energy," said Johns, praising Slater's relentless focus on Lomax throughout the series.
He mentioned, "Billy (Slater) worked really hard on Zac Lomax the whole series and the last couple of series," despite initial suggestions to target elsewhere.
The Maroons made history by winning two consecutive away games to clinch the series, following a loss in Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium.
According to Johns, Slater's coaching performance stands alongside other iconic series victories from 1995 and 2020.
He stated, "It has to go down as one of the very best coaching performances," emphasizing that it wasn't strictly tactical but also involved bold selection changes.
He remarked on Slater's instincts, noting that he "changed a winning team from Game 2 just by having a gut feel." Overall, Johns's insights reflect admiration for Slater's strategic acumen and the determination of the Maroons.