Billy Slater shuts down Craig Bellamy after Melbourne Storm coach offered State of Origin advice

Billy Slater has joked he won’t be taking any advice from Craig Bellamy when it comes to coaching in the State of Origin arena.

Bellamy suggested Slater should start Melbourne Storm star Harry Grant at hooker ahead of St George veteran Ben Hunt in Origin I in Adelaide next week to put New South Wales on the back foot from the start.

But Slater, who won two premierships under Bellamy in Melbourne, hinted he will not listen to his former mentor and reminded him of his less than stellar Origin record.

Bellamy coached New South Wales between 2008 and 2010 with the Blues ending up on the losing side in each of those three years against a Maroons team that won eight series in a row under Mal Meninga.

‘Craig had his chance to build his team in Origin […] sorry Craig,’ Slater told News Corp on Wednesday.

Billy Slater has joked he won’t be taking any advice from Craig Bellamy when it comes to coaching at State of Origin level

The Melbourne Storm coach suggested Harry Grant should start in place of Ben Hunt

‘We have named that team [with Hunt starting], but we still have to work out who starts and who doesn’t start.

‘I will discuss that with the coaches and work out what’s the best dynamic for our team.’

Hunt was Queensland’s starting hooker a year ago and scored a spectacular try to seal the Maroons’ win in the decider at Suncorp Stadium as Slater marked his Origin coaching debut with a series triumph.

Slater suggested Hunt would retain his starting role, but admitted he was yet to finalise the 13 players who will start against New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval next week.

‘We have named that team [with Hunt starting], but we still have to work out who starts and who doesn’t start,’ Slater added.

‘I will discuss that with the coaches and work out what’s the best dynamic for our team.

‘Ben Hunt was super last year, he came up with some really big moments and you know what you get with Harry.’

Grant played 43 minutes in Queensland’s 16-10 boilover win in Sydney in Game I last year and 48 minutes in Origin II, as the Blues squared the series with a resounding 44-12 thrashing in Perth.

Slater said Hunt had an enormous impact in the Maroons’ series triumph last year

Harry Grant’s presence off the bench was crucial for the Maroons 

He then played 51 minutes as the Maroons triumphed 22-12 to wrap up the series in Brisbane. 

But Bellamy believes Grant’s sparkling form this season deserves to be rewarded with a starting role, although he acknowledged the Storm star could have a destructive impact off the bench.

‘I would be starting him’ said Bellamy of Grant.

‘He can play 80 minutes every week. 

Bellamy coached New South Wales between 2008 and 2010, losing all three series

‘The only reason I would be thinking of that [Grant being on the bench] is if Harry can come on fresh after 20 minutes and do more damage.

‘That might be a good reason [to start Hunt]. But for me, from what I’ve seen, I’d be starting Harry.

‘It’s not my job to decide it, Billy will make the right decision I’m sure.’

This year’s State of Origin series begins on May 31, with Origin II is scheduled for June 21 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and the decider held at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on July 12.