NRL 2021: Corey Parker back at training as Kevin Walters looks for help

He’s credited with helping save the career of one Broncos star, now Kevin Walters reveals why he brought Corey Parker back in from the cold.

Corey Parker and Kevin Walters. The Brisbane Broncos training at Red Hill. Pic Peter Wallis

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters insists there is no bad blood with Corey Parker after recalling him to help rebuild the Broncos - just six months after sacking the club legend.

In his only interview on Parker’s shock Red Hill comeback, Walters outlined the reasons why he asked the former Broncos skipper to return to his coaching staff on the eve of Saturday night’s clash against the Roosters at the SCG.

The pair sensationally fell out earlier this season when Parker blasted Walters for not formally advising him that he would not be on his coaching staff this season after appointing Terry Matterson and John Cartwright.

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Corey Parker has rejoined Kevin Walters and the Broncos.

But Walters has smoked the peace pipe with Parker, who fielded a phone call from the Broncos coach over the weekend, triggering his return to training on Tuesday to help Brisbane prepare for the Roosters showdown.

The 347-game icon was seen on the field at Broncos training with Parker playing a hands-on role as Walters desperately looks for answers to resurrect Brisbane’s season.

Parker first took on a mentoring role to Brisbane’s forwards two years ago under former coach Anthony Seibold and Walters believes the Queensland Origin legend can help the likes of Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Jnr.

“It’s great to have Corey back,” Walters said.

“I wanted to use him in a few areas, I wanted to seek his knowledge and expertise in a few areas, particularly with our young forwards.

“Corey can assist them and mentor them with their games both in defence and attack.

“Corey has a very good football brain. He was quite smart as a player and he is up to speed with the trends in the game as a recently retired player, so it’s good to have him back on deck.”

Broncos assistant John Cartwright. Picture: Richard Gosling

During his time in exile, Parker maintained strong relationships with several Broncos players, who valued his premiership-winning experience.

He played a key role in saving Pangai Jnr’s career, helping him lose 8kg over summer in conditioning sessions after the forward was given one final chance by Broncos bosses following his COVID breaches.

Parker will support Matterson and Cartwright, specialising in working with Brisbane’s forwards, and Walters is confident there will be no lingering animosity over his controversial departure in pre-season.

“There was never an issue with Corey. I said a few months ago I was happy to him back and here he is,” Walters said.

“I won’t use him every session, but he will be here regularly. He will grow into the role.

“I feel Corey has a good relationship with our younger forwards and they look up to him.

“The most important thing is Corey loves the Broncos and want to help out, so it’s good to have him back on deck.”

Corey Parker has a good relationship with Brisbane’s young forwards.

Parker told News Corp in February he is keen to one day become an NRL head coach.

“I love the thrill of coaching and I will still look to pursue that,” he said.

“I am really enjoying my work as a commentator with Fox but I love passing on knowledge and the things I forged as a player for 20 years to young players and helping them get better.”

Broncos stand-in captain Jake Turpin recently praised the 2006 premiership winner’s coaching ability.

“Cozza is very knowledgeable about the game, he is very smart and a very good role model for the younger guys,” he said.

“We have inexperienced forwards and Cozza was a really good role model for the younger guys.

“To have a guy who had played more than 300 games of NRL helping us, he was excellent, he brought a lot of knowledge around ruck play and how we could improve as forwards.”