NRL 2023: Wayne Bennett’s brutal critique of Kevin Walters that sparked Broncos premiership revival

This is the moment that prompted Wayne Bennett to deliver some home truths to Kevin Walters about his coaching style. Inside the phone call that could break the Broncos’ premiership drought.

It was the high-powered secret meeting of minds between Kevin Walters and Wayne Bennett that has put the Broncos on course for their first premiership in 17 years.

Bennett has backed the Broncos to win this year’s title as Walters’ manager revealed how some pearls of wisdom from the supercoach helped lay the foundations for Brisbane’s ‘Kev-olution’ this season.

Walters was Bennett’s champion, happy-go-lucky prankster and playmaker who pulled the strings with Allan Langer during Brisbane’s golden era, personally featuring in five of the Broncos’ six premierships.

So when Bennett saw Walters spraying Broncos players during a halftime address in his rookie NRL coaching season in 2021, furiously waving a Brisbane jumper, alarm bells rang for the veteran mentor.

It was not the Kevin Walters he knew and admired.

This image sparked Wayne Bennett into action. Picture: Channel 9

Bennett, having completed his commitments at Souths and entering his ‘gap year’ in 2022 before coaching new franchise the Dolphins this season, phoned Walters for a heart-to-heart.

The super coach told Walters he was trying to be something he wasn’t. He urged ‘Kevvie’ to cut out the ranting and raving and focus on Walters’ stated ambition to bring unification to the Broncos following their wooden-spoon debacle of 2020.

The candid critique struck a chord with Walters, who has cut a more relaxed figure during his superb rebuild of the Broncos, steering the club to equal first ahead of Saturday’s derby blockbuster against the Cowboys in Townsville.

“After his first year, Kev had a catch up with Wayne and they had an honest conversation about his coaching,” Walters’ manager Chris Orr said.

“Wayne gave him some honest advice, he caught up with Kevvie and talked to him about what he needed to focus on.

Walters was Wayne Bennett’s assistant in Brisbane’s grand final charge in 2015.

“Wayne has the greatest feel for coaching, he is the master of getting the players knowing the coach has their back and that‘s why they play for him.

“They talked about a lot of things, including identifying holes in your personality or your skill set and working to other people‘s strengths.

“Kevvie has learned a lot about himself over this journey. His greatest skill is making the players feel they are part of something bigger than just a football club.

“He has shown great faith in his assistant coaches and I know Kev is extremely passionate about the Broncos and bringing a premiership back to the club.”

Bennett confirmed the meeting and said he remains in contact with Walters, who is a serious contender for Dally M coach of the year honours this season.

Walters has been a more relaxed figure this season in Brisbane’s resurgence.

Rather than take credit for any Red Hill revival, Bennett lauded Walters’ evolution as an NRL coach, claiming he has the personal skill set — and roster — to deliver Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

“I won’t go too much into that meeting but, yes, basically I wanted the best for Kevin and I’m really happy for him at the moment,” Bennett said.

“I still stay in touch with Kevin, we’ve always had a tremendous relationship. We’ve had our trying moments over the years but our friendship will always be there.

“He was a great player for the Broncos. He was a great player for me as his coach. He gave me as much as any player and we won premierships at the Broncos because of Kevin.

“I’d love to see him win the premiership this year, it would be wonderful for the club and the city.”

Walters’ 2000 premiership halves partner Ben Ikin, who quit as Broncos football boss in May to become Queensland Rugby League CEO, said the 55-year-old has found his groove as an NRL coach.

Former Broncos football boss Ben Ikin believes Walters can take Brisbane all the way.

“I am really happy for Kev and the Broncos because he pours his heart and soul into that place,” Ikin said.

“You can’t fake how much he loves the Brisbane Broncos and Kev’s passion bleeds into everything they are doing.

“Kevvie had been around great coaches and he was well and truly ready for a head-coaching gig. As Wayne Bennett points out, it (the Broncos job) is probably the toughest head-coaching gig in the competition, so that gives you a sense of how well he is doing.

“Kevvie knew what excellence looked like as a player and he’s now doing it for the Broncos as a coach.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying sitting back and watching their success unfold under Kevvie.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Wayne Bennett’s brutal critique of Kevin Walters that sparked Broncos premiership revival