NRL 2024: Kevin Walters demands more from Broncos ahead of Roosters grudge match

The Broncos are the best team in the competition according to one rival coach - but Kevin Walters sees loose threads in his side and has demanded more from them ahead of their grudge match with the Roosters.

Kevin Walters has turned up the heat on his in-form Broncos by demanding they gain a ruthless edge entering this week’s grudge match against the Sydney Roosters.

The Broncos were rated the best team in the competition by Wests-Tigers coach Benji Marshall after they demolished the Tigers 34-10 on Saturday but it says much about the rising expectations around Brisbane that their coach wants more.

“I’m very confident with the group that we have that we are going to have a great season, but we need to play better as a group,’’ Walters said.

“We have all the right ingredients to be a very good side, but we have to start showing our fans and our faithful that we can do it.

“The expectations on the Broncos are much higher now than three years ago and as players and staff, we need to make sure those expectations are met and I don’t feel they were.

“The Tigers have been good this year, so it was a danger game for us, but I knew if we could play the football that we know we can play, that we would be OK. The first half was good, but the second half we just fell away a bit. Guys going down injured and getting cramps didn’t help us too much either.’’

Asked about the Broncos burning some try-scoring opportunities against the Tigers, Walters said: “We’ve been doing that for about a month now. It hasn’t hurt us yet but I know that it will if we continue to do it. I want to be happy, but I want to demand more from this team.

Coach Kevin Walters has demanded more out of his Broncos unit. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Maybe I’m sending the wrong message to our players, but winning and banking points is good.

“I have a really clear picture on what the picture and the puzzle looks like, but we have to get it right and we haven’t yet. We are in round eight now. I’m not alarmed, but I would like us to be playing a bit better.’’

The Roosters clash at Suncorp Stadium will contain special spice for the Broncos following their season opening loss to the Roosters in Las Vegas when Rooster Spencer Leniu was suspended for eight games for racially abusing Ezra Mam in an incident that left Mam in tears and sparked a showdown in a hotel corridor.

“They are a good side,’’ Walters said.

“We don’t have to watch the vision to know they are a good side and they have good players. It will be a great match, something to look forward to.

“Because the field is a metre and a half wider and longer (at Suncorp), that will be a big one for us to use the field. These games against teams like the Roosters, they are great for our club and great for the game, we look forward to it.’’