NRL 2024 coaches’ survey part 2: Kevin Walters and Ivan Cleary knock Craig Bellamy off perch

Craig Bellamy’s relentless success has long seen him sit atop the rankings of the NRL’s finest coaches, but all that has changed according to our exclusive poll of the NRL’s clipboard kings.

Kevin Walters has been voted a better coach than Dolphins rival Wayne Bennett as his NRL peers backed the Broncos mentor to break Brisbane’s 18-year premiership drought this season.

News Corp’s third annual poll of NRL coaches and assistants has thrown up the Broncos as the team most likely to finally bring down the Panthers dynasty and torpedo Penrith’s quest for four consecutive titles.

And in a major survey shock, the NRL’s sharpest minds rated Walters the second best coach in the code _ ahead of the likes of Bennett, Storm legend Craig Bellamy and Roosters three-time premiership winner Trent Robinson.

Ivan Cleary was named the NRL’s No. 1 coach after steering Penrith to a hat-trick of premierships, but Walters has rocketed in status after piloting Brisbane to a fairytale grand-final appearance last season.

While Walters has yet to savour an NRL premiership, ‘Kevvie’ boasts an extensive portfolio after 23 years in the coaching caper.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has surged up the coach rankings, sitting at No.2 as voted by his peers. Picture: NRL Photos

The 56-year-old has been an assistant to Bellamy and Bennett, steered the Queensland team to two Origin titles and presided over a remarkable ‘Kev-olution’ at the Broncos – taking Brisbane from the wooden spoon to a grand final in just three years.

Now, entering his fourth season in charge, Walters has arrived in the eyes of his peers, with 27 per cent rating him the best coach, behind only Cleary (43pc) and ahead of Bellamy and Bennett (13pc).

Bellamy was overwhelmingly voted the best coach in the game a year ago as Cleary only received eight per cent of the vote in 2023.

However, a third premiership in succession for Penrith was enough to convince his fellow coaches that Cleary deserved the top gong as he ended Bellamy’s two-year reign at the top of the rankings.

Kevin Walters has replaced Craig Bellamy as the #2 rated clipboard holder – but he still lags Nathan Cleary.

Cleary has a red-hot chance to further etch his name in folklore this season – the Panthers are favourites to make it four titles in a row despite the loss of NSW centre Steven Crichton, who has moved to the Bulldogs.

“It’s great to see Ivan recognised by his peers as the best NRL coach in the league,” Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron said.

“What Ivan has brought to this club has been exceptional – not only with the club’s on-field success, but also the culture he has set at the Panthers.

BRONCOS BACK THEIR MAN KEVVIE

The Broncos have extended Walters’ contract until the end of 2025 and chairman Karl Morris recently lauded the 241-game Brisbane legend’s ability to harmonise the club.

“I couldn’t be any happier for Kevin,” Morris said.

“He’s really grown into the role and has got very good people around him at the Broncos.

“At the time (we extended him) the board backed him and thought he was the best candidate and he’s proven that.

“We couldn’t be any more delighted with how confident he’s become in the role.”

Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas said the presence of Walters was a key reason why he inked a lucrative three-year extension last season to lead Brisbane’s pack.

“Kevvie was a big part of why I stayed here,” Haas said.

“He has instilled into us that this is a family club and we look after each other here.

“I’d love to win a premiership here with Kevvie.”

The Broncos have extended Walters until the end of 2025. Picture: Courier Mail

The NRL coaching brigade believes Brisbane are red-hot favourites to clinch back-to-back grand-final appearances this season.

The Broncos and Roosters (eight each) polled most votes as teams most likely to reach the 2024 decider, edging out Penrith (seven), who continue to lose key stars under the salary cap.

Walters is adamant the Broncos are on the cusp of winning their first premiership since 2006.

“I was really proud of the team’s work to make the grand final,” Walters said.

“The common theme among all the staff here is how connected the playing group is. They care for each other. You need to get the right people doing what you need to do and if you do that, you get success.

“I love coaching this club and we will keep everyone on track.

“I feel we are in a really strong position to be a dominant club for the next four to five years.”