NRL 2021: Captain Alex Glenn urges Broncos bosses to stick by coach Kevin Walters
The Broncos are running second last and coach Kevin Walters is off-contract next year, but skipper Alex Glenn says it would be a mistake to punt a club legend.
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Brisbane skipper Alex Glenn has appealed for the Broncos board not to sack Kevin Walters, calling for coaching stability to ensure the ailing glamour club recovers as a finals force next season.
On the eve of Brisbane’s clash against the Roosters on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, Glenn believes the regeneration of the NRL’s richest club would only suffer if Walters became the third Broncos coach axed in as many years.
Walters is off-contract next season and with NRL clubs often working 12 months ahead with their coaching appointments, Brisbane bosses will have to decide whether to back or sack the club legend in the early stages of the 2022 premiership.
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The Broncos employed just three coaches in the first three decades — Wayne Bennett, Ivan Henjak and Anthony Griffin.
But since 2018, the Broncos have terminated Bennett and Anthony Seibold, whose lucrative five-year deal was torn up after just two seasons following Brisbane’s disastrous 2020 wooden-spoon campaign.
Under Walters’ rookie year this season, the Broncos have only slightly improved, moving to 15th place, but Glenn is adamant the club is on the rise under ‘Kevvie’ and implored Brisbane hierarchy to keep the faith.
“I think for our club we need a bit of stability,” Glenn said when asked if Walters should be retained. “We’ve had multiple changes of coaches and when a new coach comes in, the structures change.
“The way we have been playing the past month is how we should have been playing at the start of the year.
“Our team has bought into the way Kevvie wants us to play and we are in good hands.
“Having the likes of (Adam) Reynolds and (Kurt) Capewell coming, these guys will bring more strength to our squad next season.
“It’s important to have stability around our club.”
While Brisbane have won just five of 20 games this season, Walters is adamant the Broncos are building towards a finals campaign in 2022.
Aside from signing Origin-quality recruits in Reynolds and Capewell, the Broncos have a posse of young guns primed to step up next season headlined by TC Robati, Jordan Riki, Selwyn Cobbo, Tesi Niu and Brendan Piakura.
Speaking ahead of the Roosters clash, Walters said he has presided over roster changes that make him feel like he is putting his stamp on the Broncos.
“Yes it certainly does (feel like his team), we are very happy with the signings we have,” he said.
“Because I was venturing into the unknown, I didn’t know how long it would take (to rebuild the Broncos) and we are still not there yet.
“We have made some progress this year with reshaping our roster and there is more work to do. I feel the club is moving, since the reset (after round 15), in the right direction.
“We have to make sure we bring the right people in the next two or three years to make sure the club maintains its direction heading north.”
Walters insists he isn’t sweating on a contract extension as he prepares to be a free agent next year.
“What I want to do is get through this season and win some more games, starting against the Roosters,” he said. “When the season is done, I will look at that (his future).
“I am in no hurry. I am very comfortable with where I am with the club and the reset that we had after round 15 has been great.
“I can see a lot of change happening with our place and our staff, so that makes me feel really positive about our next few years at the Broncos.”
GLENN HOLDS FIRE ON RETIREMENT CALL
Brisbane skipper Alex Glenn has vowed to retire on his terms — but insists he will not be “selfish” about his future as he enters what could be the final month of his Broncos career.
D-Day is on the horizon for Glenn with the off-contract Broncos captain poised to confront the biggest decision of career as he prepares for Friday night’s clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
Just turned 33, Glenn is widely expected to draw the curtain on his outstanding career, with young guns Jordan Riki and TC Robati and Penrith recruit Kurt Capewell vying for back-row spots next season.
But rather than be daunted by the Capewell threat, Glenn says the emergence of Riki and Robati could convince the 281-game warhorse to play for another 12 months and become just the fourth Bronco to reach 300 NRL matches.
The Broncos have held discussions with Glenn about his post-football options, suggesting retirement is on the cards, but the popular skipper insists he will not be pressured by Brisbane management.
Asked if he felt he had earnt the right to retire on his terms, Glenn said: “I do, and they (Broncos bosses) have been very supportive of that.
“I have had some sit downs with Kev (Walters, Broncos coach) and just been really open with him about how my body feels.
“It feels great. I know I’m 33 and in footy terms, that is getting old, but I don’t feel that way. I am out there and the body feels amazing, it just comes down to being professional and ticking all the boxes leading into games. The main aspect for me is recovery.
“It (Brisbane’s improvement this season) definitely helps for sure. The confidence is going through the roof at headquarters and seeing the boys bouncing around and wanting to keep working, that’s what the Broncos used to be.
“Having some good signings will strengthen our squad and our club next year, so that fuels the flame for me.”
Glenn may have no choice but to retire, with the Broncos having yet to table a new contract for next season. Glenn’s former teammates Darren Lockyer (355), Corey Parker (347) and Sam Thaiday (304) are the only Broncos to have reached 300 games.
Earlier this season, the former Kiwi Test back-rower conceded the speed of the NRL could force him out of the game, but says the fear of an unknown future is not a factor in whether Glenn plays on.
“I’m not scared of retirement, to be honest,” he said. “I’m not any closer to a decision.
“I spoke to Kev and said my focus is finishing the last four games strong and that’s what I want to do. I don’t want any distractions, I don’t want to worry about where I am going to be next year.
“What it comes down to is can I still compete at this highest level?
“I don’t want to be selfish and be that player that goes one year too long.
“I’ve always said that I will give myself every opportunity to perform to the best level I can and make my decision at the very last minute.
“I have four games to go and I have been happy with my performances. I am still competing with the best of the best.
“I don’t want to make a decision too soon and regret my decision later on. I will finish the season strong and these next four weeks are my focus and then I will make a decision.”
BRONCOS ‘LUNATIC’ DREAMS OF BEING NEXT BURGESS
— Peter Badel and Joel Gould
Rampaging Brisbane rookie TC Robati has revealed how unexpected words of inspiration from his hero Sam Burgess are a driving force in his bid to emulate the South Sydney forward legend.
The 19-year-old Robati has earned the nickname ‘Tropical Cyclone’ with his fearless charges and he will look to continue his meteoric rise to the NRL in Friday night’s clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
Just six months ago, Robati was an unknown teenager just hoping to make an impression in Brisbane’s feeder system at affiliate club Wynnum Manly in the Intrust Super Cup.
After just six games for the Seagulls, Robati was stunned to be handed a Broncos debut for a daunting debut against premiers the Storm in May, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters impressed with his aggression and explosive ball carries.
It is no surprise Robati’s game-style is a carbon copy of the man he idolised. British Test great Burgess was renowned for his blatant disregard for self-preservation as he tore into NRL defences, famously playing 79 minutes of Souths’ 2014 grand-final win with a fractured cheekbone.
So when Robati received some encouragement from Burgess before his NRL debut, it left the New Zealand-born forward humbled, lighting the fire for the 105kg back-rower to lead a Red Hill revolution with Walters’ raft of Baby Broncos.
“I am trying to play like Sam Burgess,” said Robati, who plays his seventh top-grade game against the Roosters.
“I loved watching Burgess, he was one of my inspirational players.
“He actually sent me a video before my debut, so hopefully I’m not letting him down.
“It’s great to be in the NRL. I love being in there with the big fellas like Payne Haas (Broncos front-row teammate) … I like banging the big guys.
“I’m just trying to keep it simple. I just run hard and tackle hard … you can’t go wrong just playing to your strengths in the NRL.”
The Kiwi tearaway has already scored two tries in the NRL and such is his talent, he was recently handed a three-year extension by the Broncos, who will build their back row around Kurt Capewell, Jordan Riki and Robati next season.
The Broncos can thank Logan schoolteacher Lee Addison for spotting Robati.
Also the head coach of Poland, Addison was holidaying in Auckland when he decided to watch a local representative game. The minute he laid eyes on a kid called Teui Robati, he had visions of Martin Lang, the former Queensland Origin prop who would charge at the line like a madman.
“The wind and rain was blowing horizontally in Auckland and I managed to get under some shelter to watch this rep game,” Addison recalled.
“This kid took a hit-up, broke the line and tore away on a 40-metre run and I knew he had something special. I thought immediately that I’d found the next Martin Lang. He was so brave and had no care in the world what happened to his body.
“TC still reminds me of Martin Lang because he plays with no thought for self-preservation. He is still fearless and runs like a lunatic.
“I spoke to TC and his family after the game and it turned out that his cousin Evander (Tere-Rongotaua) was already coming over to Australia because he had signed with the Roosters.
“TC hadn’t been noticed and I suggested he come across too.
“He ended up playing for us at Mabel Park High in Year 11 and living with family in Logan.”
Robati has made admirable sacrifices to chase his rugby league dreams. With his parents unable to leave New Zealand, Robati moved to Australia on his own at 16 to begin his NRL journey.
“I was over here by myself, which was hard,” Robati said. “All my family were back in New Zealand, so I just thought put my head down and arse up and get the job done.”
After 12 months at Mabel Park, Robati shifted to Marsden State High, the alma mater of Cameron Smith and Israel Folau, for Year 12. When Robati debuted against the Storm, Addison was in the crowd at Suncorp Stadium to watch his former student.
“TC has added footwork and other dimensions to his game,” Addison said.
“When he was with us I kept telling him to use his shoulder in tackles and get under the ball because he just wanted to smash people front-on.
“TC is also a very loyal person. It is not the easiest time in the world to be a Bronco but he won’t have any other thoughts than getting them out of the trouble they are in, so it is no surprise to me that he re-signed with them.”
DESPERATE BRONCOS RECALL OUT-OF-FAVOUR WINGER
–Peter Badel
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has wielded the axe yet again with Xavier Coates winning a recall and Salford-bound Brodie Croft dropped in favour of Albert Kelly for Friday night’s clash against the Roosters.
Kelly will start at halfback against the Bondi club after Croft paid the price for making zero runs for zero metres in Brisbane’s 28-20 loss to the Knights last Thursday.
Walters showed his hand at Broncos training on Tuesday with Kelly calling the shots in the Maroon colours of the top squad, while Croft and $1 million playmaker Anthony Milford were handed yellow shirts as part of Brisbane’s second-string Renegades outfit.
It is a crushing blow for Croft, who appears to have played his last game for the Broncos after signing a two-year deal with Salford on Monday night.
Signed by former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold last year, Croft was hailed as the halfback who could deliver the club’s first title since 2006, but the former Storm grand-final No.7 has struggled to take charge at Red Hill.
Broncos hooker Danny Levi said he felt for Croft, who has won just six of 26 games at Brisbane and will depart for the English Super League at the conclusion of the NRL season.
“It’s always sad,” Levi said of Croft’s free fall.
“I have gotten to know Brodie well, he is a really good dude and his work ethic is unreal.
“He is one of the last guys off the training paddock and is always doing his extras. I am happy for him to secure his future. I know he is excited about going over, so I am really happy for him.
“Brodie has been feeling like everyone else, the season hasn’t gone the way everyone has wanted to. Brodie has been very professional. His confidence is always there and he always talks which is what you want from a halfback.
“I’m sure he has a bright future ahead in England.”
Croft’s relegation has opened the door for Kelly, who has a good history against the Roosters, producing a man-of-the-match display in his Broncos debut in round 11 to engineer a stunning 34-16 boilover at the SCG.
The 30-year-old Kelly is poised to sign a new deal with the Broncos. He sparked Brisbane’s attack in his 20-minute cameo against Newcastle last week and the ex-Titans shapes as a handy back-up to marquee halfback recruit Adam Reynolds next season.
BRONCOS TEAM NEWS: Kevin Walters has axed Brodie Croft for Roosters clash. Albert Kelly will be the starting halfback. Anthony Milford still with the Renegades. pic.twitter.com/tByizIxLrQ
— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) August 10, 2021
“I just like the way Alby plays, he is a real eyes-up sort of player,” Levi said.
“He is a good runner with the ball and very dangerous. He can create opportunities for everyone and himself. He is an exciting player to watch. He brings a lot to the team, so I am excited that he gets the chance to play.”
Meanwhile, Coates’ month-long stint in NRL exile is over, with Walters axing Jamayne Isaako to enable the Queensland Origin flyer to join forces with teenager Selwyn Cobbo, who will start at right centre against the Roosters.
“Xavier has been very professional, it’s always hard coming back from State of Origin and not playing,” Levi said.
“He has been really good about it (being dropped from the Broncos’ starting side).
“He has done really well and everyone here knows when he gets his opportunity again he will do really well.”
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