Crash Tackle: Broncos warned to let Kevin Walters flourish, what’s up with the club’s Twitter and where are the on-field leaders?
As with any change in leadership there are many unknowns at the Broncos. After a truly dismal season, Kevin Walters picks up where Anthony Seibold left off. But there are some big questions that remain unanswered.
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The Broncos must be careful not to overreact to the Anthony Seibold era as they shape the future of new coach Kevin Walters.
Sometimes the most interesting observations of a club come from someone with vast experience in another sport watching on with neutral eyes from afar.
Wide-travelled Australian soccer star and Fox commentator Mark Bosnich told me during the week he had tipped one inevitable consequence of Seibold becoming “isolated’’ in his Broncos career was that the next man would be micromanaged to the point of being smothered.
It’s an interesting point.
With Craig Bellamy likely to sign as coaching director and a host of big names in contention for assistant coaching positions, the Broncos have to guard against overmanaging Walters as part of reconciling their regret at undermanaging Seibold.
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Kev’s a big boy. He’s up for this. Unlike Seibold – who did become isolated – Walters has a lot of natural, informal support which is but a phone call away.
Walters will either sink or swim but success or failure should come on his terms with total accountability.
Bellamy could be a great acquisition for the Broncos but Bosnich knows from experience that coaching structures can be complex gigs.
“We have seen those types of (coaching director’s) roles in our sport (soccer) with mixed success. The big thing is you need very clear lines of authority,’’ Bosnich said.
“Who answers to who? Who is the big boss? Who makes the big calls on player signings?
“These things always start out well with a lot of positive talk but they can become very difficult very quickly with people blaming each other if you don’t have clear lines of authority.’’
Former international Steve Roach felt given Bellamy has been offered a 10-year deal Walters should have been offered more than a two-year contract.
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— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) October 2, 2020
POINT OF CONTENTION
For pain-stricken Broncos fans it was a season which needed a smile at the end of it – and it found one in the most unusual way.
The Broncos Twitter account got tongues wagging and thumbs typing over the weekend when it put up a post which was nothing more than a full stop.
The cryptic little dot triggered a lengthy list of replies including one which said “thanks for an excellent summary of the positives the Broncos fans can take from the season’’.
Another suggested: “is that full stop going to explode into a gender reveal?’’, while one cynic said “more effort in this tweet than the boys all year’’.
You have to laugh.
LEADERSHIP CRISIS
The next Broncos captain may not even currently be at the club.
New coach Walters made no attempt to mask the club’s dearth of leaders in an interview with Triple M on Sunday, admitting he would be going to the market with an open mind.
Two of Walters closest mates are forward enforcers Glenn Lazarus and Gorden Tallis. What he wouldn’t do to turn back the clock and have them in their prime.
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LIONS ROAR
The Brisbane Lions have sent a warning shot across the bow of the Broncos with their exceptional form drawing strong television ratings.
More Brisbane sports watchers viewed the Lions victory over Richmond on Saturday night than viewed the NRL final between the Panthers and Rooster.
Lions ratings are up 30 per cent this season and Friday night’s match was the highest-rating AFL game outside a grand final in Brisbane for a decade.
