NRL 2023: Knights star Tyson Gamble reveals regret over Kevin Walters podcast criticism

It was one of the most explosive comments in NRL history — Tyson Gamble suggesting Kevin Walters was out of touch at Brisbane. Now the former Bronco has spoken out about his regret.

Former Bronco Tyson Gamble says he regrets comments he made, suggesting Adam Reynolds ran the show at Brisbane, not Kevin Walters. Picture: NRL Photos

Newcastle’s man-of-the-moment Tyson Gamble has spoken of his regret over his stunning attack on Kevin Walters, paying tribute to the Broncos coach for saving his NRL career.

Gamble goes into Saturday’s elimination final against the Warriors as one of the NRL’s form players and victory would set up a grand-final qualifying blockbuster with his former club the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

That scenario would put Gamble on a knockout collision course with Walters’ Broncos — one year on from the explosive podcast saga that raised question marks over player morale at Red Hill.

Knights recruit Gamble dropped a bombshell on his way out of Brisbane, suggesting Walters was out of touch with modern-day NRL methods, adding skipper Adam Reynolds “was the go-to man for everybody”.

“If you’ve got a question about the team or footy, you go to ‘Reyno’,” Gamble said at the time.

Tyson Gamble (right) dropped a bombshell on coach Kevin Walters (left) last year by saying halfback Adam Reynolds really ran the show at Brisbane.

But as he prepares for the biggest game of his career in a sudden-death showdown against the Warriors in Auckland, ex-Bronco Gamble said Walters didn’t deserve the criticism.

The Broncos coach has presided over an emphatic resurrection of Brisbane, taking the club from wooden spooners under former mentor Anthony Seibold to title contenders in just three seasons.

“It’s hard to look back at,” Gamble said of his comments about Walters.

“It’s something where I look back and I just cringe because it wasn’t the way I wanted it to come across and it’s not the person I am.

“What I said was taken out of context.

Gamble and Kalyn Ponga (right) have played key roles in Newcastle’s finals charge.

“After that (podcast) came out, I apologised to ‘Kevvie’ immensely. To this day, I am very apologetic because Kevvie never deserved that. He is a hell of a coach and he has done a hell of a job in Brisbane.

“I still feel bad about it because Kevvie is a good coach, a good person, and I only wish him the best.”

The Broncos’ role in Gamble’s career rejuvenation at Newcastle has been significant.

Languishing in the Queensland Cup at Redcliffe after a brief stint at Wests Tigers in 2018, Gamble was given a second chance by Walters in 2021, giving him the confidence to believe he belonged in the NRL.

Gamble has hit career-best form this season, the 27-year-old playing 23 games for the Knights and spearheading their 10-match winning streak in tandem with superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga.

Walters was plucked Gamble out of the Queensland Cup in 2021 to revive his NRL career.

“I owe a lot of my NRL games to Kevvie and the Broncos,” Gamble said.

“He gave me a chance when nobody else would.

“He stuck by me in 2021 and I am very appreciative of what he did for me.

“The reality is I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today if it wasn’t for Kevvie picking me in the team.”

If the Knights dispose of the Warriors this week, Gamble will return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday week for a Broncos preliminary final reunion.

“It would be very surreal to come back to Suncorp,” he said.

“If we are good enough to beat the Warriors, it would be my 50th game in the NRL against the Broncos next week, so that would be a hell of a milestone game coming up against the old club.

“It would be awesome, but I’m not getting carried away. We have the Warriors first and we have a massive task beating them.

“It was very hard to leave to the Broncos, I was there for three-and-a-half years. I’m from Brisbane, so all my family and mates are there, but from a footy perspective it was something I needed to do and I’m now really settled here at the Knights.”