Billy Slater is off-contract at the end of this State of Origin series but Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin says they want to make sure he continues in the role.
Slater led the Maroons to a 2-1 series win in 2022 and heads to Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night 1-nil up and with a chance to secure back-to-back series.
The last time the Maroons did that was when they won a treble of series from 2015-2017 with one of the great representative teams of the modern era.
"The QRL is really keen to sit down at the end of the series and find whatever way we can to keep him in the role," Ikin told AAP.
"He's proven last year, and again this year, that he is highly capable. Anyone that has had anything to do with him knows he is committed to getting better in all that he does.
"I think that the team has adopted the same mentality under his leadership. He was good last year. He's gotten better again this year and our expectation is that the trend continues, which is why we want to keep him around."
Ikin said the QRL was not going to put pressure on Slater to recommit during the "most important part of his year".
On the eve of the clash in Brisbane, Slater was asked if he was relishing his role.
"It has been good. I thought I'd enjoy it. It has been a great experience," he said.
As for his future, Slater said that was a discussion for another day.
"We are heading to State of Origin Game two at Suncorp Stadium. I don't need to be talked about," he said.
"This is not about me."
What is not in question is the players under Slater's stewardship have made immense strides forward.
Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Selwyn Cobbo, Patrick Carrigan, Tom Gilbert, Reece Walsh and Tom Dearden have debuted during his four games in charge. All have played crucial roles either this year or in the last campaign in Maroons victories.
Slater has proven adept and getting his team to fire no matter what adversity they face.
Last year's decider, won 22-12 by the Maroons, was a classic example where they lost Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi to COVID leading up to the match, and then Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins were both knocked out in the opening exchanges.
Slater's attention to detail has been noted by those close to the team camps.
"He knows what he wants and he knows how he is going to go after and get it," Ikin said.
"His diligent approach to the work is why good fortune normally falls his way.
"He is my all-time favourite player so I have this huge bias, but when you watched Billy Slater play live and saw the amount of work he did off the ball you understood why he was so great.
"Everything was deliberate, on purpose and well-deserved.
"I am not at the coalface but I can only imagine that his approach to his days as a player has followed him into his days as a coach.
"A lot of people who I trust and have worked with him closely say exactly the same."
