In the final episode of Stories of Origin series five, host Mathew Thompson sits down with the legendary Greg Inglis to discuss his standout 2008 State of Origin campaign. Known for his power and intimidation, "GI" recalls how he overcame a difficult start to the series to secure a glorious victory in Queensland’s golden era of dominance.

Despite his on-field success, Greg reflects on the personal challenges he faced with his mental health. Now, as a fit and healthy family man, he uses his powerful profile to support indigenous people who are experiencing the same issues. His commitment to the Goanna Academy is making a significant impact, a legacy that extends well beyond his on-field achievements, especially as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week.

This episode concludes series five of Stories of Origin, winner of the Best Sports Podcast at the annual Australian Audio Awards.

Host: Mathew Thompson
Executive Producer: Matty White

Thanks to TAB for supporting Stories of Origin Season 5.

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Five days after Queensland’s heartbreaking Origin series defeat, Billy Slater opens up on the disappointment of Game Three, the pride he has in his players and the major decision awaiting him over his coaching future.

Billy explains why he is in no rush to decide whether he will lead the Maroons in 2027 and reveals what the Queensland team still means to him after five seasons in charge.

Billy and Peter Psaltis also break down the incredibly tight race to the NRL finals, why the Broncos face an almost impossible task, the pressure building on Newcastle, why the Dolphins can recover from their 66–0 defeat and the latest turmoil surrounding Jarome Luai and the Wests Tigers.

Plus, Billy previews a massive Round 20, including Panthers v Broncos, Roosters v Storm and the Queensland derby between the Dolphins and Cowboys.

00:00 Broncos’ finals hopes are all but over
00:22 Welcome and life after Origin
01:17 Billy reflects on Queensland’s series defeat
03:59 Max Plath proves he belongs in Origin
05:11 Sam Walker comes of age
06:34 Jojo Fifita’s confidence grows
07:37 The small moments that decide Origin
09:28 Billy addresses his Queensland coaching future
11:03 Why Queensland means more than wins and losses
13:18 The NRL run to the finals begins
15:40 Breaking down the top of the ladder
16:36 The incredibly tight race for the eight
17:05 Why the Broncos’ task looks impossible
19:38 The teams fighting for a finals position
20:17 Pressure builds on the Newcastle Knights
22:50 Can the Dolphins recover from 66–0?
24:56 Raiders keep their season alive
26:32 South Sydney celebrate Jai Arrow’s birthday
28:08 Tallis Duncan emerges as a genuine centre
29:02 Wayne Bennett’s backline gamble pays off
30:50 Rugby league rallies around Jai Arrow
33:02 Storm survive a Titans scare
35:26 Cooper Clarke’s enormous potential
37:04 Sharks make a premiership statement
39:43 Jarome Luai and the Tigers’ growing turmoil
43:50 Panthers v Broncos preview
45:07 Daniel Tupou reaches 300 games
46:47 The Roosters’ dangerous right-edge combination
47:57 Roosters v Storm preview
49:10 Dolphins v Cowboys preview
50:41 Billy returns to normal life
51:07 An update on Cheryl the deer

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With just six rounds remaining before the finals, Billy Slater breaks down the biggest stories in rugby league.

Can the injury-hit Storm still pull off a miracle? Why Cronulla have become the competition's hottest team, and why Penrith remain the safest premiership pick despite not being the form side.

Billy also gives his thoughts on the West Tigers' Adam Doueihi saga, the Bulldogs rediscovering their defensive identity, and the extraordinary recruitment advantage being handed to the new PNG Chiefs after landing Zach Lomax and chasing more elite talent.

00:19 Intro
00:44 Are the Broncos and Storm finished?
05:55 Can the Raiders make the finals?
08:13 PNG Chiefs land Zach Lomax
14:44 Why the Sharks are the NRL's form team
20:21 What's gone wrong at Manly?
22:54 Cowboys end Brisbane's season
25:57 Billy reveals what went wrong at the Broncos
30:12 Penrith's championship mindset
34:38 Why Penrith are still the team to beat
36:39 Bulldogs rediscover their defensive identity
39:26 Billy on the Adam Doueihi and Tigers drama
45:24 Billy backs Benji Marshall
47:14 Round 22 preview
49:09 Storm's next generation gets its chance
51:37 Billy's first game at fullback

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Round 23 delivered spectacular comebacks, major upsets and another dramatic shake-up of the NRL ladder.

Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis assess the race for the minor premiership, explain why Newcastle should concern every finals contender and consider whether Melbourne can still make a late charge for the top eight.

Billy breaks down the Warriors’ premiership credentials, Luke Metcalf’s impact at halfback and the emergence of Aaron Clark and Leka Halasima. He also examines how the Panthers can replace the injured Isaiah Yeo and why writing off the defending champions would be a serious mistake.

The team also discusses the Roosters’ rising stars, Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return, the Dolphins’ first finals appearance, Cody Walker’s extraordinary match-winning play and the biggest contests awaiting us in Round 24.

New episodes of The Billy Slater Podcast are available every Monday.

00:25 Billy’s NRL ladder observations
02:17 Can Melbourne still reach the finals?
03:54 Dragons upset the Sharks
07:07 Why one poor performance shouldn’t define a contender
09:00 Cowboys respond after their record defeat
11:25 The rise of Heilum Luki
13:34 Where should the Warriors host a home final?
17:22 Aaron Clark’s outstanding season
20:04 Luke Metcalf makes his statement
22:59 The Warriors’ young talent and winning culture
26:29 Isaiah Yeo’s injury and the impact on Penrith
29:40 Why Billy refuses to write off the Panthers
30:15 How Nathan Cleary’s role could change
32:18 Will Penrith rest players before the finals?
34:09 Roosters survive a thriller against the Bulldogs
37:00 Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return
39:45 Is Billy coaching seven NRL teams next year?
40:24 Dolphins secure their first finals appearance
43:44 The experience powering the Dolphins’ forward pack
47:35 Cody Walker’s incredible match-winning 40/20
49:24 Melbourne prospect Hayden Watson impresses
51:44 Panthers versus Roosters preview
52:59 Bulldogs versus Rabbitohs preview
53:45 Can Brisbane upset the Warriors?
55:05 Round 24 closing thoughts

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Billy Slater explains why he has decided to step down as Queensland State of Origin coach after five years in charge.

Billy reflects on his three series victories, the relationships he formed, the responsibility of representing Queensland and whether coaching could feature in his future. He also discusses the leading candidates to succeed him, including Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.

Then, Billy and Peter Psaltis turn their attention to the NRL finals race: why the Warriors may be the competition’s best team, the alarming signs at Brisbane, the Cowboys’ costly loss, controversial bunker decisions, the Roosters’ premiership credentials and the Dolphins’ push for a top-four finish.

00:00 Welcome
00:23 Why Billy is stepping down as Queensland coach
02:10 Billy’s proudest achievement with Queensland
04:59 The call that brought Josh Papali'i back
06:16 Protecting what State of Origin represents
08:19 Who should coach Queensland next?
11:52 Could Billy coach again?
15:03 Billy’s all-in approach to life
16:57 Paul Vautin, Cameron Smith and the golf game
18:19 Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston as coaches
20:23 Are the Warriors the NRL’s best team?
23:43 How Andrew Webster transformed the Warriors
26:11 The Warriors’ returning players
27:16 Have the Broncos checked out?
29:48 Can Brisbane recover before the season ends?
31:02 The top-eight race opens up
33:42 The penalty that decided Cowboys–Eels
35:37 Stephen Crichton’s referee collision
39:18 Roosters edge the Panthers
41:42 Daly Cherry-Evans’ final NRL premiership push
44:29 Panthers face a dangerous Melbourne Storm
46:17 The Dolphins’ top-four opportunity
47:49 Why Kurt Donoghoe is so valuable
50:28 Dragons–Bulldogs preview
53:11 Closing thoughts

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With only two rounds remaining before the NRL finals, Billy Slater breaks down the race for the minor premiership, the top four and the final places inside the eight.

Billy reveals why he is predicting a cracking grand final, explains how the Tigers exposed the Roosters and assesses whether Penrith can defend their premiership under mounting pressure.

The team also discusses Joey Manu’s blockbuster move to the PNG Chiefs, the extraordinary recruitment advantage created by tax-free contracts, the Warriors’ winning culture, Josh Papalii’s emotional Canberra farewell and the teams fighting to keep their seasons alive.

00:00 The NRL finals race heats up
00:49 Three teams level at the top
01:35 Billy breaks the ladder into three races
03:28 Why the Warriors have the perfect finals run
06:02 Joey Manu signs with the PNG Chiefs
08:11 PNG’s extraordinary recruitment advantage
09:58 The Chiefs’ first seven players
11:25 Developing Papua New Guinea’s local talent
13:48 How the Tigers stunned the Roosters
17:11 Patrick Herbert’s remarkable NRL comeback
18:10 Is the Roosters loss a blessing in disguise?
21:12 Sharks survive a scare against the Titans
23:48 Why elite teams value their wingers
25:02 The Dolphins’ premiership credentials
27:59 Billy makes his grand final prediction
29:56 The Dolphins’ dangerous bench weapons
31:13 Why the Dolphins can win the premiership
33:01 Are the Panthers back to their best?
35:22 Panthers v Bulldogs preview
36:26 Will Ivan Cleary rest players?
38:13 How the Warriors reached the top
41:13 Warriors overcome their injury crisis
43:54 What Kurt Capewell brings to a team
46:44 Josh Papalii’s emotional Canberra farewell
49:55 The Broncos’ remarkable comeback record
50:35 Broncos v Storm preview
52:21 Last year’s top four could all miss the finals
54:31 How Newcastle can threaten the contenders
56:27 Cowboys face a dangerous Tigers test
58:21 Round 26 final thoughts

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With one round remaining before the NRL Finals, Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis examine the huge decision facing every top-eight coach: rest the stars or build momentum?

Billy explains why the call could make or break a premiership campaign and assesses the Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Warriors and Sharks heading into September.

Billy also reflects on the emotional scenes surrounding Jai Arrow and Sam Walker’s devastating injury, Jet Cleary’s impressive debut and the controversial Tigers obstruction decision.

Plus, could the NRL eventually adopt the AFL’s wildcard format, and did the experimental kick-off rule offer enough to survive?

00:00 One round until the NRL Finals
00:30 The massive decision facing top-eight coaches
04:24 There is nowhere to hide in September
06:16 The emotional tribute to Jai Arrow
10:38 Latrell Mitchell returns for South Sydney
14:40 The battle for a home elimination final
16:46 Should the NRL introduce wildcard finals?
18:47 Sam Walker’s devastating injury
21:38 How the Roosters can replace Sam Walker
23:59 The impossible decisions facing coaches
25:22 Jacob Saifiti’s send-off
27:18 Jett Cleary impresses on debut
28:32 How the Warriors overcame adversity
30:01 Mitch Barnett’s outstanding season
32:18 The Sunday afternoon upset curse
35:22 The controversial Tigers no-try
37:18 Can the Cowboys find their best football?
39:37 Verdict on the experimental kick-off rule
43:25 Melbourne’s exciting young winger
45:26 Sharks face a dangerous Storm side
46:42 The biggest games of Round 27
47:37 Finals preview

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Billy Slater opens up on the behind-the-scenes planning that helped Queensland handle Cameron Munster’s HIA scare in Origin Game Two.

Billy reveals he met with Johnathan Thurston on game day to run through contingencies, including the left-field plan to use Max Plath in the halves if Munster went down.

(00:00) Welcome to the Billy Slater Podcast
(01:04) The NRL finals race is starting to tighten
(01:55) Broncos and Raiders running out of time
(03:46) Billy reflects on Queensland’s Origin Game Two win
(05:40) Trent Loiero’s impact off the bench
(07:02) Sam Walker’s goal-kicking preparation at the MCG
(08:09) Billy’s special moment watching Walker, JT and Alfie Langer
(09:44) Selwyn Cobbo’s form, happiness and hard work
(11:29) The Max Plath contingency plan after Munster’s HIA
(12:08) Billy reveals his game-day meeting with Johnathan Thurston
(14:37) Why Billy told Max Plath about the plan before kick-off
(16:09) Queensland’s “whatever it takes” team mentality
(17:43) Queensland heading to Rockhampton before the Origin decider
(19:41) Central Queensland’s Origin connections
(20:19) Melbourne Storm’s resurgence continues
(22:21) Titans stun Penrith as Zane Harrison stands up
(24:35) Dolphins show their depth in big win over Tigers
(26:47) Should New Zealand have a second NRL team?
(28:29) Broncos v Roosters looms as a must-win clash
(29:27) Looking ahead to Origin Three week

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