'Real unfortunate': Maroons coach responds to latest Coates setback
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I always wonder what our colleagues like to eat in the media, because our diet on the Continuous Call team is shocking. Darryl's got the clinkers in front of him. We've just had some donuts. We've had muffins, chocolate, burgers. It's just ridiculous what we eat.

But I'm just having a look at the shot. Good to see Channel 9's safe. Well, that's where I'm going with it. We're getting a shot through from our colleagues at Channel 9. Danica Mason's got a handful of hot chips. Gus, Phil Gould has got a Coke Zero and a whole bucket of chips in front of him. And then they're also chewing on some shapes. The shapes are open. The barbecue shape. They're a thing out here because we've got about eight packets of shapes in the commentary box.

So to our colleagues at Channel 9, we salute you for the rubbish that you're eating alongside us as well. Speaking of Channel 9 colleagues, Billy Slater's on the line to preview the footy. Hey, Bill. Hey, Mark. How are you? Mate, very well. Have you tucked into any hot chips or shapes yet? Hot chips for me out at Penrith here this afternoon. It's definitely hot chip weather. Bit of drizzle, bit cool. So...

A couple of hot chips to go down well. Make sure you get in quick. Danica and Gus, they nearly demolished about two packets of them. But anyway, we move on to the footy. Panthers and North Queensland. It's been robbed of a bit of star power. The Origin players aren't backing up, the majority of them anyway. Do the Panthers get the job done or are you sort of thinking maybe an upset in the reckoning for the Cowboys? Yeah.

Yeah, I give the cows a real chance out here this afternoon. And I know the Panthers have pretty much been unbeatable out here for the last four years. But just with the outs, I just think there's a little bit of quality in the Cowboys that can trouble the Panthers. But it wouldn't surprise me if they just keep rolling and they get the job done again. They're such an impressive team.

and they would have had a great preparation with the younger guys. Yeah, looking forward to seeing some young guys get their opportunity. Now, Billy, what are you made of the Cowboys this season and where they sit? They're sitting just outside that eight. I think they've still got two buys remaining. What are you made of the season?

I reckon they've just snuck under the radar the last probably six weeks. They've won four of their last five games. Really impressive against the Raiders just before the bye. And they're nice and fresh coming into this one. So I think they're working back to their best. They're certainly definitely not at their best just yet. But...

I think once the origin period is over and they get all their quality players back on deck full time, they're working nicely. They've had their troubles throughout the last couple of years, but I think they're just flying under the radar a tad.

Yeah, Billy, it's Neil Breen. This time of year, there's always the same debate, state of origin, the club competition, blah, blah. Origin's going nowhere. It's never going to change. But do you enjoy seeing all the different names and seeing reserve graders, if you like, or young kids getting a go? I certainly like watching it.

Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, some of our stars have got their opportunity through this time of the year. And, you know, when players are out, you know, you get an opportunity to present to some younger guys or some youngers

Some journeymen that have been working really hard. I don't think there's much debate, to be honest. I think origin works. I think the home-and-away season works. The game, they pay the players well, and that's generated through the home-and-away season, but it's also generated through state of origin. So it is what it is. We get to see some young guys on show this afternoon.

How are you feeling, mate, after the origin the other night? I mean, it was a tough night at the office for you in particular, all the boys and probably all the Queensland supporters. How are you feeling now after a couple of days?

I'm getting better day by day, Darrell. Probably like most of us Queenslanders, mate. But, you know, we pick ourselves up off the ground and we go again. And look, I think if it didn't mean as much, it probably wouldn't hurt as much. And, you know, we're all disappointed with not just the result, but, you know, the performance, especially in that first half. So, you know, we'll have a look at that as coaches. You know, and like I said, we'll pick ourselves up and we'll go again, mate.

Just one last one, Bill. Before you go, we just had the news through in the last 10 minutes. It's devastating for Xavier Coates. This hamstring injury is going to see him miss anywhere from six to eight weeks. It's such a shame, not only for him, the Melbourne Storm, but for the Queensland team as well. Yeah, absolutely. I was at Melbourne training at the start of the year in the pre-season and I saw him go down in a session with a hamstring injury. For that to reoccur, I'm not exactly sure if it's the same injury or the same leg, but

but he's a little bit like Tom Trubojevic where he's a rangy sort of athlete and he's just got this tendency to have these issues with his hamstrings. And it's real unfortunate because he's a wonderful guy. He works really hard and he's going to miss a period of footy now. So hopefully he's back before that six to eight weeks and he comes back nice and healthy and fit for the finals.

And Billy, you know we discuss the big issues in rugby league and the big issues in life. Out of interest, do you use your back windscreen wiper because we feel that they're superfluous to our needs? I have used it in the past. You've just got to turn the dial rather than flick it up and down. Not all that often. Like everything in life, I try and look forward rather than look back.

That's too good. Get that one up there, Piggy. That's too good. Good stuff from Billy. Cop that. Cop that, New South Wales. Listen to you, blokes. Goodbye, Billy. See you, fellas.