NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has been praised for his mental strength by son Billy

Kevin Walters and son Billy are hoping to become the first father-son duo in Brisbane’s 35-year history to win an NRL grand final together. But it’s been a tough road to get to this moment.

The Walters boys hope to recreate this iconic family photo on Sunday. Picture: Brett Faulkner

Billy Walters has praised the mental strength of his father Kevin to overcome one of rugby league’s greatest tragedies and lead the Broncos to the cusp of a drought-breaking NRL premiership.

The Walters are hoping to become the first father-son duo in Brisbane’s 35-year history to win a title together in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Penrith in Sydney.

Kevin Walters won a record five premierships as a player with the Broncos, dating back to Brisbane’s first triumph in 1992, and is now heading to his first NRL grand final as a coach.

His last title success came in 2000, a famous triumph for Walters given it was just two years after the NRL was rocked by the tragic death of his wife Kim Walters following an 18-month battle with breast cancer.

Kevin and Kim shared three children – Jack, Billy and Jett – and the photographs from her funeral of a devastated father and his sons are tear-jerking 25 years on.

Broncos hooker Billy Walters was only four at his mother’s funeral and has few memories of her apart from photos, videos and a diary Kim kept about her children.

Now a father to two-year-old Hugo, Billy is in awe of how his dad held the Walters family together and continued his successful football career.

The Walters boys hope to recreate this iconic family photo on Sunday. Picture: Brett Faulkner

“Having a son now, it makes you realise how good a job dad did,” Billy said.

“He held it together for a lot of those years. I couldn’t imagine losing my partner, let alone going out and playing the footy he was at that point.

“He had three little rascals running around and I’d be lost with only one kid if I lost my partner.

“It’s a massive credit to him to be able to hold it together. It shows how mentally strong he is.

“I know my mum will be there on Sunday looking over me, as will dad’s parents and my mum’s parents as well.

“It’d be pretty cool to go out and get a win. It’d be really special.”

In the years following Kim’s death, Walters met Narelle Bristow and their first child Harry was born in 2003 before Ava arrived in 2005.

Billy, 29, said Narelle played a key role in keeping the Walters family together following Kim’s death.

Kevin, Jack (L) and Billy Walters (R) at Kim’s funeral. Picture: Bruce Long

Kevin and Kim Walters on their wedding day.

“I owe it to my step mum Narelle as well,” he said.

“She came in pretty early during that period, was young and had to take on three young boys.

“She probably cops the brunt of it at home (laughs). He is calm and collected at training but has to let it out somewhere and probably gets a lot more emotional at home.

“She’s been great for him and our family so hopefully she gets to reap the rewards of that on Sunday.”

Kevin, 55, is quick to point out the sacrifices his family, including Narelle, have made to help him get to this point.

They followed him to England and France then moved around Australia as he chased his coaching career and dream job in charge of his beloved Broncos, which only came to life in 2020 following numerous setbacks.

“I couldn’t have done this without my family,” Kevin said.

“The whole family has been on a great journey. It’s not just me there on Sunday. It’s my wife, Narelle, and all the kids have been there supporting me the whole time.

“We are a very close knit group. Rugby league has been a big part of our lives and whether I was in Ipswich or Melbourne, we were always going to stay close.

“They came all the way over to France, down to Melbourne, off to Ipswich, we’ve been to all parts and Narelle and the kids have been behind me the whole way.

“It will be special for me to have Narelle and the kids there on Sunday to enjoy the grand final experience.”

Narelle never misses a home game and is in the Broncos’ dressing rooms to celebrate every victory and console her ultra-competitive husband after a loss.

Asked if Narelle is now Brisbane’s First Lady, Walters laughed: “I don’t know about that, but she has been a wonderful support.

“We’ve gone through some tough times on and off the field but I am really pleased that she gets some reward and joy, but the big reward is on Sunday night.

“We need to play well and if we win, we will be really happy.”

Narelle has supported Kevin Walters as he chases his premiership dream. Picture: Annette Dew

While the Walters never want to experience those harrowing images from Kim’s funeral again, there is a photograph they would love to recreate.

Kevin celebrated his final NRL premiership in 2000 with sons Jack, Billy and Jet captured alongside him.

If the Broncos beat the Panthers, they will get the opportunity to recreate the photograph with three generations of Walters, including Hugo, in what will be Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

“I’ve got a son that will be there on Sunday so hopefully I can celebrate a win with him,” Billy said.

Billy Walters with his dad and coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We’ve spoken about emulating that photo with grandad (Kevin) and having the three generations there. It would be pretty special.

“Playing for the Broncos is something you look forward to as a kid and being lucky enough to play in a grand final one day.

“We’ve got that opportunity this weekend. I’ll have my son there, my brothers and our whole family. I really hope we can win it and celebrate in style.”

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan have celebrated the last two NRL premierships together.

Now Kevin is hoping it is his chance to do the same with Billy and add another chapter to his remarkable rugby league career as a player and coach.

“Winning a premiership together is definitely something you dream of, not many have done it,” Kevin said.

“I am so pleased for Billy. I am proud of all my kids but if you said three years ago Billy and I would be heading to an NRL grand final, people would have laughed in our faces and rightly so.

“But we have both worked so hard to get to this position and Billy has been outstanding for us at hooker.

“I always knew he had the ability, he just needed the confidence and self-belief and the results are coming.”