Brisbane Broncos great Corey Parker has publicly expressed his interest in coaching Queensland in next year's State of Origin series.

Billy Slater dropped a bombshell last week, announcing he will be stepping down as head coach following three series wins in five years.

Parker has emerged as a candidate for the role, admitting he has had an interest in a coaching position at the helm of the Sunshine State.

"I've definitely got an itch to coach," Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

"In regard to the Queensland Origin team, there's obviously some conversations that need to be had, and if they thought that I was an option, well, it'd be certainly something I'd, you know I'd look to talk further about.

"They're conversations for the powers above.

"The thing with Queensland is anyone who's taken the role on has done it for the great state and what the state means.

"The state means exactly the same to me that it did to Bill, that it did to Kev, that it did to Mal (Meninga). The list goes on.

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"There's a number of great people that could go and coach for Queensland, and, if there was an opportunity, and there was a conversation to be had, I wouldn't be turning down the conversation."

Parker has played 19 games for the Maroons, featuring in six series wins over his illustrious career.

The lock forward also won the Wally Lewis Medal in 2015 after a brilliant individual performance in Game 3 of that year.

NRL Rd 14 - Broncos v Raiders
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Corey Parker of the Broncos runs with the ball during the round 14 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium on June 9, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Although he has limited coaching experience, Parker has worked at the Broncos in past years in different minor roles since his retirement in 2016.

Following Slater's announcement, many speculated Maroons great Cameron Smith would be the logical option to step up and continue the charge.

Although the QRL will have to keep looking, with the most-capped Maroon of all time, Smith declaring the role is not for him.

“I don't think so,” Smith said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday.

“I've heard comments from Wayne Bennett (endorsing Smith), and I really appreciate the sentiments … but it's not the role for me at this current time.

“I was lucky enough to be involved in the camp with the players and Billy when he started. There was a reason why I stepped away after 2023, because I couldn't fully commit to the role. At that point in time, it was as an assistant coach.

“Nothing in my life at this point has changed. I haven't really thought about it that deeply. We were all fairly surprised that Billy made the decision to stand down.

“At this point in time in my life, it's not the right thing for me and my family.”

The NSW Blues have also undergone a change of guard, appointing Matt King to take the helm south of the border in 2027 after Laurie Daley stepped down following a courageous series win this year.