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Queensland State of Origin great Cameron Smith has stepped down from his assistant coaching role for the Maroons for 2024, as the team gets ready to attempt a hat-trick of series wins.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Queensland Rugby League confirmed that Smith would not be part of the Maroons' set-up for the 2024 series, to be replaced by Matt Ballin.
Smith, who played 42 State of Origin games for Queensland and was part of 11 series wins, joined as assistant coach when Billy Slater took over for the 2022 series.
The coaching group of Slater, Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay had immediate success, winning the 2022 and 2023 Origin editions.
Slater paid tribute to Smith's work with the team over the past two seasons.
"I don't know if there's anyone who has contributed more to the Queensland Origin team than Cam Smith," Slater said.
"I'm extremely grateful for his contribution over the last two series. He's done an incredible job which I've seen first hand inside the camp with all the players and coaching staff."
Smith thanked Slater and the QRL for his time working with the team.
"It's been a fantastic two series working with quality players. They're quality people to work with and they've certainly helped me as a rookie assistant coach," Smith said in the statement.
"I was lucky enough to represent the jersey many times but to experience it from a different lens as a coach, and being able to watch this new generation play the way they did and represent the state in the manner in which they did, was highly rewarding."
Smith said he would remain involved in rugby league in Queensland through community football and his media work.
"This year I've decided to coach at grassroots level at the Currumbin Eagles," he said.
"I feel it's really important to get back to grassroots level because that's where our next generation of players come from and I remember all the way back to my junior days playing at Logan Brothers, and just how important coaching is at that level."
Slater welcomed the entry of Ballin to the coaching staff.
A former Manly and Wests Tigers player, Ballin played 220 NRL games, and one Origin game for Queensland in 2010. He played his junior football for Kingaroy.
Ballin joined the Brisbane Broncos in late 2021 and has been an assistant under coach Kevin Walters.
"I've seen a whole heap of value to what Matt brings to our game-day performance," Slater said of Ballin.
"I'm really excited to work alongside him and continue to help our players prepare to the best of their ability."