NRL 2023: Kevin Walters’ ‘grow up’ ultimatum to baby Broncos

Kevin Walters has moved to address the worrying culture crisis infecting Red Hill, making a pre-emptive pitch for change.

Reece Walsh plants some bunnies ears on Kevin Walters at the Broncos fan day. Picture: Lachie Millard

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has invoked the spirit of Roger Federer in a plea to his players to lead more disciplined lives.

Walters has claimed his young squad must improve their “professionalism as a unit,’’ particularly away from the club.

“We have a lot of players here with a lot of talent but they are young in the mind so we have to get that maturity happening,’’ Walters said at the club fan day at Red Hill.

“You cannot speed that stuff up. It is just a process.

“The guys are great when they are here at training, video sessions and recovery. It is what they do when they are not here that has to improve and we have spoken about that.

“That is not easy when you are 18, 19 or 20 years of age and being a professional sportsman. There are a lot of hills to climb as such.’’

Walters watched a documentary on tennis great Federer and plans to speak to his squad about the lesson’s of it.

Reece Walsh plants some bunnies ears on Kevin Walters at the Broncos fan day. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I listened to Roger Federer talking about when he was 18-21 and he didn’t know what to do or how to prepare himself well for a tournament. He worked it out and turned out to be one of the great tennis players of all time.’’

Walters did not name names but the Broncos have had a string of off-field dramas with Selwyn Cobbo being fined for driving an unregistered vehicle, TC Robati charged for a similar offence after being stood down following allegations of an incident with a woman and Reece Walsh having an altercation with David Fifita.

“We want to get better every week. There is a time to have some fun certainly. And there is a time to knuckle down and be professional. It’s about what they need to do each week to get ready to play, not for 16 or 17 rounds but 27 rounds.

“It is about being up for the moment and staying consistent.’’

Tennis great Roger Federer. Picture: David Gray/AFP

Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Picture: AMA/Corbis/Getty

One of Federer’s key mantras was never being comfortable with his success and trying to improve himself even when he was in the midst of a form surge, a key reference point for the Broncos after they got too comfortable with themselves during a hot patch last season a proceeded to fall off a cliff.

It is not as if the team lacks senior role models for off field conduct for Kurt Capewell and Adam Reynolds have been influential standard setters since joining the club but Walters obviously feels there is a sloppy culture which must be addressed.

One of the reasons the Broncos recruited veteran Manly enforcer Marty Taupau at a time when his first grade career was close to extinction was he is seen as an excellent trainer and another experienced player who could shape the club’s youngsters.

Walters refused to comment on his own future amid reports the club will announce a one-year extension until the end of next season to short-circuit mounting speculation over his future.