Queensland coach Billy Slater joins us from inside Maroons camp ahead of State of Origin Game One, tackling the biggest selection calls and storylines dominating rugby league.

Billy opens up on the huge fullback debate between Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga, why experience mattered in key positions, and how the Maroons landed on one of the most talked-about squads in recent Origin history.

There’s also discussion around the six debutants and the balance of the bench under the new Origin rules, leadership within camp.

Billy also reflects on selection pressure and what fans might be underestimating about this Queensland team heading into the series opener.

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• NSW Blues Team Selection: Guest Paul Gallen reveals his predicted lineup for Game 1.

• The "Gus vs. Gal" Rivalry: The episode revisits the ongoing banter between Phil Gould and Paul Gallen regarding the Perth Bears bid and salary cap concessions.

• Queensland Maroons Outlook:

  • Ben Hunt joins the studio to discuss the impact of Tom Dearden's injury and the depth of Queensland’s playmaking options, including Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans.

  • League icon Greg "GI" Inglis reflects on his legendary Origin career, his transition from the Storm to Souths, and the influence of coach Craig Bellamy.

• Women’s State of Origin: Tamika Upton and Jesse Southwell discuss the growth of the women's game and the intense preparation for Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium.

• Magic Round Preview: The team breaks down the biggest matchups for the upcoming four-day festival of football at Suncorp Stadium.

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The "Billy the Kid" Breakout: State of Origin Game 2, 2004

In this episode of Stories of Origin, host Matthew Thompson sits down with a true icon of the game, current Maroons coach and Queensland legend Billy Slater.

Travel back to 2004, a year that cemented Slater's place in Origin folklore. We revisit the electric atmosphere of Suncorp Stadium and the moment that left the sporting world breathless: Slater’s legendary double chip-and-chase try.

Join us as Billy reflects on the sheer instinct behind that iconic play, the magic of the 2004 series, and what it means to be part of the Maroons' enduring legacy.

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