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Five words that made NRL world turn on Slater
Emily Benammar • June 18th, 2025 12:54 pm
“Maybe the last coach didn’t”.
A week after Aaron Woods called Slater a grub on national radio, the Queenslander returned serve calling the ex-Blue out for using derogatory terms and preaching a message around mental health.
He was making reference to former Queensland coach Paul Green who lost his battle with mental health in 2022.
He was making reference to former Queensland coach Paul Green who lost his battle with mental health in 2022.
“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,” said Slater.
“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.
“You’re not talking to your mates in the pub.
“You’re not talking to your mates in the pub.
“Now, I know Aaron Woods. I actually ran into him about three or four weeks ago at a footy game and he didn’t voice that opinion then.
“He actually brought his son over to introduce him to me.
“I get the attention in our game. I get that. Our game creates attention, but there’s a responsibility with that attention.
“You don’t know what people are going through.
“Although I might be able to handle it, the next person mightn’t be.
“Maybe our last coach (Green) didn’t.”
While Slater receiving a round of applause for his comments in Perth, alluding to Green was not well received by other members of the NRL media.
SEN's Andrew Voss held a similar opinion and believes Slater has unnecessarily re-opened painful wounds for the Green family.
"Paul Green was diagnosed after his death by suicide with CTE," Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
"His wife, Amanda, stated at the time that the CTE diagnosis provided some closure for the family and explained his changes in behaviour.
"That's where it had to be left. You cannot bring the memory of Paul Green into anything that happened here between Billy Slater and Aaron Woods.
"It's wrong and you can't do that out of respect.
"I think Billy was out of order referencing the late Paul Green. He went too far.
"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."
Beau Ryan, who co-hosts a radio show with Aaron Woods, said the whole thing had become too big.
“It took a dark turn yesterday. From where I’m standing, Billy was waving the white flag,” he said.
“It took a dark turn yesterday. From where I’m standing, Billy was waving the white flag,” he said.
“It looked like he’s had a week to reply, you’ve called him a grub - I don’t know if grub means something different in Queensland - he was a grubby player and all that.
“It’s festered out of proportion and it’s been the only thing people have been talking about before the game, which isn’t right.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
