NRL 2023: Broncos coach Kevin Walters in contract extension talks following Selwyn Cobbo scandal

The Broncos have revealed Selwyn Cobbo will be punished for his criticism of Kevin Walters, as the club begins contract extension negotiations with their coach.

Kevin Walters and Dave Donaghy at Red Hill. Pic Annette Dew

The Broncos have opened contract extension negotiations with Kevin Walters as rising star Selwyn Cobbo faces sanctions for his explosive comments about Brisbane’s under-pressure coach.

The Sunday Mail can reveal the Broncos have been in discussions with Walters and his management since before Christmas to extend the club legend’s tenure beyond this year.

Walters was rocked last Sunday when comments made by Cobbo in an amateur podcast last year went viral.

The Queensland Origin winger sensationally claimed Walters was a “good bloke” but not a good coach despite his six premierships pedigree as a player.

Cobbo, 20, issued a statement apologising for the comments while Walters admitted he had been left hurt by the criticism, which followed similar accusations from former player Tyson Gamble last year, also in a podcast.

The Cobbo gaffe sparked speculation that Walters was under increasing pressure to save his job at Red Hill ahead of his third season in charge.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy insisted club powerbrokers were firmly backing Walters to deliver Brisbane its first NRL premiership since 2006.

Kevin Walters is in talks with the Broncos for a contract extension. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“Kevvie has all of our support. We are right behind him but also standing right beside him,” he said.

“Yes, he’s the conductor of the team as the head coach, but it’s a collective effort and we’re all in it together.

“The feedback I’ve got from the senior players across the course of the pre-season is that training, preparation and the whole program has really stepped up. They are working incredibly hard and Kev is leading that.

“He is doing a great job and we are absolutely committed to continuing to support him, as we are with the entire football program, to help us get back to where we want to be.

“We all saw the progress last year (ninth). We got a bit sloppy at the back end of last season but we have reviewed it, learnt from it and implemented steps to improve it.

“The feedback I’m getting is that’s happening and I’m seeing strong progress across the course of the pre-season.

“What that looks like on the field will play out in the early rounds, but I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen from across the entire football program.”

Walters was blindsided by disparaging comments from winger Selwyn Cobbo. Photo Steve Pohlner

Walters, 55, was originally handed a two-year contract to replace Anthony Seibold after the Broncos slumped to the lowest point in the club’s 35-year history by claiming the 2020 wooden spoon.

The Broncos only made marginal gains in Walters’ first season in charge, finishing 14th in 2021, before the recruitment of Adam Reynolds helped spark a top four tilt last year.

Walters’ contract was extended until the end of 2023 before the 2022 season kicked off and the club’s first finals appearance since 2019 looked certain until the Broncos lost five of their last six games to miss the top eight.

While a “finals or bust” situation is looming for Walters, Broncos powerbrokers have been impressed with feedback from senior players about the coach’s development and Brisbane’s 2023 preparations.

If Walters heads into the NRL premiership with his future uncertain it could spark a frenzy of distracting speculation at Red Hill and the Broncos are looking to extend the head coach’s contract.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy is backing Walters. Pic Annette Dew

“We’ve been really clear that continuity and stability at our club is really important,” Donaghy said.

“We’ve been through a lot of change over the last decade and haven’t had a lot of success. That’s not a coincidence.

“Stability and continuity is important, but so is progress. We want to see growth in the program.

“From what I’m seeing and the feedback I’m getting, we’re certainly seeing improvement across the board in our football program.

“Coaching the Broncos is a different beast. It’s a club that has a lot of eyeballs on it. We have the largest membership base, TV audience, social following and are in the heartland of rugby league.

“It’s not for everyone, but Kev’s done a great job bringing people together. He’s been terrific at connecting everyone involved in the footy club.

“It’s a much more stable environment than what it’s been and that gets overlooked a lot in the whole discussion.“

Cobbo’s comments about Walters were recorded just weeks after Brisbane’s late-season capitulation and followed a whirlwind year for the NRL rookie.

Cobbo rose from relative obscurity – playing seven games in his debut season in 2021 – to earn State of Origin selection last year following a blistering start to the premiership.

He then suffered a heavy concussion and missed numerous matches in the back end of the season due to personal reasons and “fatigue” as his form faltered.

While the Broncos are managing Cobbo’s development, Donaghy said it was an unacceptable incident and he would be penalised by the club.

Cobbo’s career flatlined last year. Picture NRL photos

“There was a lot for Selwyn to take in last year. At the end of the day he is a 20-year-old kid that’s had a pretty meteoric rise in the game,” he said.

“A big part of that rise has been through the support, understanding and nurturing of Kev. I don’t think he would have played Origin without that. A big part of his regret and remorse has been because he agrees with that.

“There was a lot thrown at him last year and a lot of new experiences that there’s no textbook for.

“We will put an arm around him and support him, but this is a real opportunity for him to understand the requirements of being a professional player and what’s right, what’s wrong and what’s acceptable at our club.

“Selwyn has made a really significant error in judgment in agreeing to do a podcast without the club’s approval.

“I don’t want to punish him for eternity for it, but he needs to know what happened and what was said was totally unacceptable.

“He will be sanctioned for it because it’s a clear breach of club policy. We will deal with that internally and move on from this.”