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Billy Slater's emotional response to Aaron Woods lights fire on eve of Origin II
Sam Kosack • June 17th, 2025 7:56 pm
Queensland coach Billy Slater has accused Aaron Woods’ of misusing his “privileged” media position after the former NSW prop’s “grub” comments earlier in the week.
At a press conference ahead of Origin II, Slater slammed Woods’ for his “derogatory” comments directed at Slater, after the Queensland coach dropped captain Daly Cherry-Evans ahead of Game II.
“When you degrade someone personally in a derogatory manner, you probably don’t deserve one of those privileged positions that you’re all in, that we’re all in,” Slater said.
“Although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be.
“Maybe our last coach didn’t.
“When you hold a position in the media or in our game, I feel that’s a privilege and with that privilege comes a responsibility.
“I sit in that position most weeks and you amplify your voice to millions of people.
“I believe the character of a person is judged more on what they say about people and how they treat people than what an individual says to create attention about someone.
“I get that. Our game creates attention, but there’s a responsibility with that attention.”
Reacting to the news, prominent NRL media identity Matty Johns said that when you make comments about figures in the game, you have to expect responses.
“Whether it's in banter, theater, whatever it is, if you do say something about someone, and it is personal, then you hand them immediately a right of reply, and Billy's used that right of reply, and he's certainly taken a long handle to it,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Drive.
“I have no doubt that Woodsy's (Aaron Woods) building up the theater.
“He's on Triple M, and Breakfast radio is all about… say this, make an impact and give us some attention and, you know, I have no problem with it.
“When he said, first of all, Billy's (Slater) a grub, I sort of thought… it's a bit of fun and then… I thought this is sort of starting to get into the personal area.
“I'm just always mindful, they get there sometimes and people will try to gee you up and say… have a shot… but I might take a shot across the bow at someone and you'll run the other way, and I'm left with it.
“I reckon 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 to somebody, then you run the risk of that.”
SEN 1170 Drive hosts Joel Caine and Bryan Fletcher think Slater’s comments will be used by Queensland players for inspiration ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Origin match.
“Maybe this is what the game needs, it’s going to fire this up,” Caine said on SEN 1170 Drive
“Billy (Slater) has got emotional here, he’s going to have them firing,” Fletcher also commented.”
Origin Game II will be played in Perth tomorrow, with NSW looking to win the series.
