Broncos boss Dave Donaghy addresses off-field issues as club looks to get back on track
A fresh spate of off-field issues just a month out from the opening trial match of the season has seen Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy step up and front the media.
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Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has declared a “line in the sand” has been drawn at Red Hill as coach Kevin Walters combats a turbulent start to the most important year of his career.
The Broncos hit the training paddock for the first time in 2023 on Thursday, a month out from their opening pre-season trial match.
Instead of the focus being on-field after last year’s dramatic late-season implosion, Donaghy fronted media to discuss a spate of recent off-field issues which have impacted the club.
Rising forward TC Robati has been stood down after being charged with sexual assault following an alleged nightclub incident before Christmas while star signing Reece Walsh was ejected from a Gold Coast venue last week following a verbal altercation with Titans backrower David Fifita.
Payne Haas, Brisbane’s best player of the past four years, has not returned to training after his mother was charged with three counts of manslaughter following an horrific car crash on the Gold Coast.
Walsh and Fifita weren’t charged over the nightclub incident, and Haas isn’t accused of any involvement in the crash.
The off-field issues are an unwanted distraction for Walters, who is off-contract at the end of this season and fighting for his NRL coaching future after last year’s finals fade out.
The Broncos have had a wretched run with off-field incidents over the past few years, earning a reputation for being one of the worst behaved clubs in the NRL.
Donaghy denied there was a culture crisis at Red Hill before saying the club had drawn a line in the sand two months out from the 2023 NRL premiership launch.
“We’ve got a really strong culture, a culture that cares … it’s a great privilege to play for the Broncos and it comes with great responsibilities too,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of work in terms of our values and standards. To me, that underpins the culture.
“We’ve got some really strong and capable leaders. They’re leading the charge with this group.
“It was important to get the playing group back after a break. They’ve trained really hard and had a well-deserved break.
“They’re coming back in, there’s a line in the sand and opportunity to build over the next four weeks until the first trial.
“I don’t have any concerns over the next seven weeks. Kev’s been really clear from the outset of pre-season what’s required of these guys. We’ve got lofty goals and want to see continued progress.
“Given where we finished last year (9th) and the progress we saw across the entire club … if we continue that we will see us achieve something we haven’t been able to for some time (play finals for the first time since 2019). That’s our goal.
“The guys are clear. Kev’s addressed it and Adam (Reynolds, captain) will address it. They’ve got my full support around that.
“I addressed it early in the pre-season and don’t believe I need to again.”
After a breakout debut NRL season in 2021 with the Warriors, Walsh found himself in hot water when he was arrested and found in possession of cocaine on the Gold Coast. He was placed on a good behaviour bond and hit with a $400 fine. No conviction was recorded.
Now in this off-season, the 20-year-old fullback was asked to leave a Burleigh nightspot last week following a heated argument with fellow Keebra Park product Fifita.
Donaghy insisted the incident was minor.
“Having understood and spoken to a number of people around it, we’ve ended up with a Bronco and a Titan in a teacup,” he said.
“We educate young men that if they find themselves in a position they’re not comfortable with to leave. We don’t want to escalate these situations. In this case, Reece did (leave).
“He took a cab home then took a cab back to pick his friend up. That is part of the story that was left out.
“There isn’t any need to have a further conversation with Reece. He understands the expectations of the club and what we require of him.
“These guys are well recognised and well known but Reece hasn’t done a whole lot wrong here.”
Haas is not expected to return to training before January 16 after his mother Uiatu “Joan” Taufua was involved in a car crash which claimed three lives.
Taufua, 46, was on parole at the time of the incident and has been sent back to jail on remand.
“It’s important to add context and perspective around it. We’re talking about a horrible, tragic incident that’s seen three lives taken, families and communities devastated,” Donaghy said.
“To be really clear, Payne didn’t have any involvement in this. He’s seen his name connected because of obvious reasons. There’s legal proceedings and serious charges that will play out away from the club.
“Payne’s got a beautiful daughter and partner and also six brothers and sisters that are school-age.
“Sometimes these guys can be put on a pedestal and seen as paid actors in a soap opera. The reality is they are human, real people with real lives outside these four walls.
“Payne’s responsibility in the short term is to look after those close to him. Our responsibility is to take care of Payne.
“It’s important for him to have that time. He was a bit unsure about recommencing. He will be back soon enough.
“He didn’t go to the World Cup so he’s had a big pre-season prior to Christmas and is in great shape.”
Captain Adam Reynolds was also on ice on Thursday as he recovers from a mouth infection.
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