‘They were offside’: Ikin set to quit Broncos after rift with Kevin Walters

Broncos great Ben Ikin is reportedly set to leave the club in the middle of the season following a rumoured rift with Kevin Walters.

Ben Ikin and Kevin Walters.

Ben Ikin is reportedly set to leave the Brisbane Broncos.

Reports have previously suggested the Broncos head of football was considering an exit and it has now emerged it could happen sooner rather than later.

The Courier Mail first reported Ikin will be interviewed by the Queensland Rugby League on Wednesday for the chief executive position.

Ikin is considered to be among the front runner to be appointed the head of the QRL and could reportedly begin his new role during the 2023 State of Origin series.

A decision on the role is expected to be made next week.

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Ikin’s departure would leave the Broncos without a football manager in the middle of the 2023 season.

It comes after widespread reports of friction between Ikin and Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

The pair earlier this year spoke publicly to confirm they had worked out an understanding to maintain a professional working relationship — but their dynamic has continued to be the subject of rumours.

The relationship was reportedly further strained when Ikin in March quit his role on the club’s recruitment and retention committee.

Ikin made the move after having had his job title shift from head of football to head of football operations after the departure of former football manager Steve Walters.

Ben Ikin and Kevin Walters.

It was seen by many as a sign Ikin was being marginalised inside the football department.

Walters himself admitted at the back end of last season it wasn’t all smooth sailing between the pair.

“Ben is new to the club, he came in at the back end of last year and we are working well together.

“Can things be better with him? Yes, everything in the club can be better.

“I need to be better myself and Ben needs to be better.

“I don’t have a major issue with him. I’m very clear on what needs to happen and I’m very clear on wanting to take the club forward.”

Rugby league great Laurie Daley on Wednesday morning said it was no surprise Ikin appears to be moving on since having his position “diluted”.

“Ben’s role has changed since he went up there with the Broncos,” Daley said on Sky Sports Radio.

“As a head of football, you’re in charge of the footy department. I think Benny has had his power diluted. And he’s now just like a footy manager, which is just organising the team. Basically looking after travel. Looking after accommodation. Looking after training. Looking after certain aspects of what the first grade team needs, rather than sitting over the coach and having the coach reporting to the footy manager and then having the footy manager reporting to the CEO.

“Kevvy now reports to the CEO rather than the footy manager. I know they (Walters and Ikin) were offside with each other and I don’t know if Ben is happy with that scenario or not, but now he’s obviously looking for another position.

“He’s very intelligent, Ben. Everyone speaks very highly of him and if he went for this job. I’m pretty confident he’d be able to get it and he’d do a fantastic job.”

Originally published as ‘They were offside’: Ikin set to quit Broncos after rift with Kevin Walters