‘I want trophies’: Kevin Walters brings Broncos back to earth with bold message of dominance
A sense of euphoria is sweeping Brisbane over the combined success of the Broncos and Brisbane Lions, but Kevin Walters has delivered a reality check.
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Kevin Walters has plucked his Broncos team from the clouds by declaring “I want trophies,’’ a sobering reminder the toughest steps of a breakthrough season are yet to come.
A sense of euphoria is sweeping Brisbane over the combined success of the Broncos and Brisbane Lions but while the Broncos already have a pass mark for the season, Walters wants more.
“The Broncos aren’t just about finals, they are about trophies and I want us winning trophies,’’ said Walters who won all five grand finals he contested with the Broncos as a player.
“We’re not done yet. Penrith have won premierships and played in grand finals and that’s where we want to get to.’’
Rarely in the history of sports betting have bookmakers been so emphatic three weeks out from the grand final that the NRL competition is a clear two horse race with the Panthers ($2.20) a short half head ahead of the Broncos ($2.60) and the next most likely team, the Storm, given little chance at $11.
Significantly, the Broncos’ great run with injuries continued with their landslide win over the Storm on Friday night in which they did not incur any setbacks on their way to a preliminary final in a fortnight.
Walters admitted the prospect of his first premiership as a coach was a long held dream – he spent almost two decades as an assistant coach then a State of Origin mentor before gaining the Broncos job which was always the role he craved most.
“It would be fantastic, that’s what every coach sits down at the start of the year and has those dreams.
“You have to have big dreams and we dream big here. That opportunity is still in front of us so we’ll keep going and that’s the ultimate goal for sure.’’
Walters took over the squad after they won a wooden spoon so the revival has been relatively quick.
“It’s been a terrific effort from a lot of people. Our performance staff, our coaching staff and our players have committed to this.
“I didn’t know how long it would take, but we’re not done yet.
“The other thing is taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture of where we want to get to as a team and as a club.
“It’s also a testament to our depth as well. It’s been challenged at different times through Origin and injuries and the like.
“I am really proud of the players and all of the coaching staff to get us where we are. We are all really humble but hungry to get more success.’’
Backrower Kurt Capewell, who has been part of the revival after being recruited from Penrith, said players at the club before him had been hardened by the sorrowful experiences of winning the wooden spoon.
“A lot of resilience was built here in those tough years,’’ Capewell said. “They are all still here and still together and they have all overcome that together.’’
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