'I don't understand AFL': The reason behind Slater's code-switch

A NEW challenge, a new code. Legendary Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater is honest when asked about his knowledge of AFL, admitting he doesn’t understand it despite joining St Kilda’s football staff for 2019. But that’s not what his role is about. Driving leadership, high standards and professionalism in preparation will be the focus for Slater, who played 319 NRL games for Storm in AFL territory.

“Whether I attend games and get involved in the nitty gritty of preparing for a game... I don’t understand AFL and I don’t come here as a specialist AFL coach,” he said. “Hopefully I can just input what I know and what I’ve experienced in my career. “Around the specifics of the skills of the game are different but at the end of the day we’re a team trying to strive for one goal.

Billy Slater switches codes to link with St Kilda Saints

Retired Melbourne Storm rugby league great Billy Slater is switching codes and joining St Kilda AFL club to work in a leadership development role. The Storm superstar, who retired after their NRL grand final loss earlier this month, will link with the Saints in a newly-created position. Former Collingwood AFL skipper Nick Maxwell performs a similar
role at the Storm. Regarded as one of the NRL's greatest players and one of the key leaders of Storm's revered culture, Slater will work closely with all AFL players, coaches and high-performance staff at the Saints. The part-time position will see the 35-year-old play a mentoring role with the club's leaders, while also sharing his experiences in relation to professionalism, training standards and match-day performance across the whole playing group. Slater is expected to the begin the part-time role early in the pre-season.