Victorious Maroons coach Billy Slater has addressed the media after a tumultuous week in which he issued a public apology over comments referencing the death of Paul Green.
Slater came in for criticism after firing back at former Blues enforcer Aaron Woods who labelled him a “grub” on Triple M last week. Speaking in a press conference ahead of Game Two, Slater raised the passing of Green is discussing the toll of comments like those made by Woods.
Slater, who orchestrated a 26-24 victory over the Blues in Perth, told reporters after the match he understood the theatre of State of Origin.
“I know the game, I’m in the game, I understand it,” he said.
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“Sometimes things get pushed to the boundary but it hasn’t influenced how I look at myself.
“And who I am as a person, I am very comfortable with who I am. I know who I am, I know who these guys are and there’s been a real togetherness about the group.”
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It comes after Paul Green’s family released a statement over Slater’s comments
Green’s brother Rick provided The Sydney Morning Herald with a statement on behalf of the family where he said it was “unfortunate” the former NRL coach’s name had been referenced by Slater.
“The family regrets that Paul’s name was brought into the current narrative and the manner this has been done,” Rick said.
“The family wants to reiterate that we love Queensland and its team. We also bear great respect for the person charged with the team’s performance.
“It was unfortunate that Mr Slater made the reference that he did, but he has responded appropriately and apologised without reservation. We sincerely wish him the best in his role as the coach of our state team.”
Slater had earlier called a snap press conference to issue a public apology,.
He said he had spoken to Green’s wife Amanda and admitted he was wrong to have drawn a connection between his death and the nature of comments made by Woods last week.
“Yesterday I wrongly made the link between Paul Green’s death and the stress and pressures of coaching, which wasn’t accurate nor was it appropriate,” Slater said in a statement.
“I feel terrible about what I said and I spoke to Amanda Green this morning and apologised for any hurt that it may have caused her and her family.
“I just want to say this, Paul had CTE. It’s a different disease to what I was referring to . Once again I’m deeply and genuinely sorry. Thank you.”
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Earlier on Wednesday Woods responded to Slater’s emotion-filled press conference. He said Slater’s reference to Green, who tragically took his own life in 2022, was “completely unnecessary”.
“It’s a hard position he’s in at the moment,” Woods said of Slater.
“He’s lost game one of the series up in Queensland.
“He’s coming off a losing series which was a decider in Queensland as well.
“So he’s under a lot of pressure.
“But one in particular comment that he did make. I just thought Billy went a little bit over the boundary. I just think it was completely unnecessary for the situation.”
Woods didn’t specify that he was talking about Slater’s reference to Green, but there was no mistaking what Woods was referring to.
When talking to reporters on Tuesday, Slater said that while he was able to deal with Woods’ barbs, others may not.
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“You don’t know what people are going through,” Slater said.
“And although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be. Maybe our last coach didn’t.”
The “last coach” Slater was referring to was Green.
The comment was met with widespread shock with Fox League commentator Andrew Voss saying on SEN that he believed Slater had made a mistake.
“I think Billy was out of order referencing the late Paul Green. He went too far,” he said.
“Deal with your own response but don’t bring others into it. That was beyond talking about Origin.
“Maybe Billy regrets that but the way he delivered it, it wasn’t off the cuff.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Johns, who was visibly shocked from hearing Slater’s comment, said he felt like the words started to “get into the personal area”.
He added: “In his heart of hearts, Woodsy just meant it purely as banter but it hasn’t been taken that way and when you say something like that – then you run the risk of that.”
The comments have also seen a historical incident involving Slater go viral on social media.
In 2010, Slater admitted he had “overstepped the mark” after sledging former Wests Tigers star Cory Paterson, who took leave for mental health reasons the year prior.
Slater was at the time reported as saying to Paterson: “Go and have a cry in your room”.
This week’s incident was sparked by a war of words between Slater and Woods, who called the Maroons coach a “grub”.
“I want to see the real Billy Slater come out – the grub that we know of. This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension. Everyone wants to go ‘oh he’s such a nice bloke,” Woods said on his radio show last week.
On Wednesday, Woods made no apologies for what he said about Slater.
“I had those comments I made last Tuesday, so that was a week ago,” Woods said.
“I stand by them. It’s part of something I said in the lead-up to this game.
“When you say comments like that, you say something about a person, that person is owed a right to reply.
“And that person is Billy Slater.
“He’s had seven days to reply.
“He’s taken his time. He’s been very well thought out. He’s been very measured in what he’s had to say.
“A lot of (Slater’s) comments I agree with.”
But Woods said that, like Slater, who works as a commentator on Channel 9, he’s entitled to air views that may not always be popular.
“You’ve got to have an opinion, whether it’s good or bad,” Woods added.
“You’ve got to be critical of people’s performances sometimes which is what Billy is a lot of the time.
“I watch him on Channel 9.
“And you’ve got to be positive as well which he is at the same time.”
