State of Origin 2016: Walters’ twin towers of strength in hard times

KEVIN Walters’ twin brother Kerrod recalls Origin in the old days, backyard footy battles ... and the day as 17-year-olds they came up against Tommy Raudonikis.

WHILE new Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters prepares for one of his greatest challenges, his twin brother Kerrod has been campaigning to be a senator for a new party formed by Glenn Lazarus.

He talks about life on the hustings, a heart attack that could have claimed his life had he not made a 3am trip to the toilet, and his thoughts on his brother’s long road to the top

It is remarkable you are entering politics three years after a heart attack threatened to claim your life. Are the events linked?

Yes. I think it affects your perception on life. You think you are sailing along when you have a life-changing experience. It makes you think you are lucky to be here and you have to make the most of your time left on Earth, and go out and help people change their lives and give yourself a focus and self-satisfaction.

Kerrod Walters at Marcoola Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

How close were you to dying?

I did not realise how close. The cardiologist said had I had gone back to sleep, there was a good chance I would not have woken up. Forty-six per cent of people who have heart attacks don’t make it.

How did your family react?

The best comment came from Kevvie. The night before, the Cowboys got a series of bad calls and I had a few beers and rang him to complain. He told me to settle down. Next morning after the heart attack, (wife) Desley rang him and he said “gee, he took that Cowboys loss badly, didn’t he.’’

There are five brothers in the Walters family. Who was the best footballer?

Hard question. A lot of people say Drewie (Andrew), who hurt his neck and had to play second row. He never complained about it, he just got on with life. He had the ability to play for Australia as a hooker. Brett was a great athlete. Kev played in six grand finals and Steven’s stature in the game was great.

Steve, Kevin and Kerrod Walters at the Broncos.

You and Steve were like the Waugh brothers in that he took your Test spot, didn’t he?

People say he limited my career but if I was kept out by a player of limited ability, I would be dirty. He was a great player and my brother and I loved him, so as hard as it was, I accepted it.

It’s $30,000 a game to play Origin these days. What did you get?

I got $1500 and I remember thinking “how good’s this?’’ Then Super League came in and they upped it to $10,000 a game.

You and Kevin were heavily influenced by Tommy Raudonikis weren’t you?

I remember when we were 17 and playing first grade for Booval Swifts, Tommy was coaching Fassifern. Kevvie and I were making a bit of a mockery of Fassifern’s defence so Tom just had enough of it and put the boots on at half-time. He came on and was frothing at the mouth and said to Kev “I am going to get you, you little bastard.’’

How did Kev react?

He was stunned. Tommy was his hero. Fortunately Tommy just couldn’t catch him. I will never forget that.

The Walters boys were sons of the backyard. Do you feel those days are dwindling?

Yes. It’s the big change in society. In the past if we were misbehaving in the backyard, it would be “go to your room”. Now you would send someone from the room to the backyard, because they would already be in their room on Xbox or Facebook. We would play until dusk and hated coming upstairs.

One of the major moments in your life was when Wayne Bennett said you and Kev, after always playing together, needed to go in different directions to fully blossom and Kev went to Canberra. Big call?

It really helped us, even though we thought “what do we do now?’’ I was really apprehensive. I will never forget the first time we played each other, I could not stop laughing and Kev was all fired up. It was like the backyard again. Weird.

Kerrod and Kevin Walters at Broncos.

You would have lived through Kev’s narrow misses of major coaching jobs. What was the most heartbreaking moment?

When he initially missed the State of Origin job. He was devastated. It affects your confidence. I read that article you wrote about how he was missing jobs because people thought he was just a joker. You got that one to a tee.

I know you are a great admirer of Johnathan Thurston. How good is he?

I never thought I would see a better halfback than Alf (Allan Langer). Thurston just competes so well on every play. I also like the way he signs a dozen kicking tees before the game and gets the ball boys to give every one of them to someone in the crowd after he uses them. We found that out through Kev’s son Harry, who is a ball boy.

Kev apparently gave a great first-up address to the Origin players and even choked up. Did that surprise you?

No. Kevvie can get emotional. He has always had this perception of a real joker but when it came to footy, he was the ultimate professional. Game day there was no one more professional than Kevvie. The one thing you need as a coach is credibility and that’s one thing he has got because of his playing and coaching. He has earnt the right to coach Queensland.

What’s one thing he will bring to the squad?

That fierce will to win. He hated losing. I liked hearing about how emotional he was in that first speech. That’s his desire. I think players respond to that. You don’t win six premierships because you are lucky. It’s like Lazo (former Bronco, Raider and Storm prop Glenn Lazarus). You don’t win premierships with three different clubs because you are lucky.

Kevin Walters, Kerrod Walters and Allan Langer celebrate a Maroons victory.

How have you enjoyed life on the political hustings? Where have you been?

Where haven’t we been? Emerald, Chinchilla ... country people are great. Bush people just want a fair go. We have focused on the regional areas because a lot of people there are really hurting. It’s the area where we feel if elected we can make a difference. In the city you tend to be immune to what is happening in the bush.

What’s the craziest question you have been asked?

The first question is why would I want to go into politics. My answer is that I want to make a difference. There is no use complaining about the state of our country if you are not prepared to roll up your sleeves and do something about it.

Glenn Lazarus has said he will cheer for Queensland but Kev refuses to believe it. Your thoughts?

I think he is cheering for Queensland because he has a lot of respect for Kevvie. He has lived here for 20-odd years. His kids have grown up here and I think he feels like a Queenslander and would have loved to have played for Queensland to be honest.

Kevin Walters, Allan Langer and Kerrod Walters celebrate Brisbane’s 1992 premiership success. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Are you nervous for Kev?

In a way I am because he has pretty big shoes to fill. We are nine (Origin series) from 10 but he has some big shoes to fill. He has a hard act to follow (from long-time Maroons coach Mal Meninga). I know he is confident and he will be fine.

How tough was life after football?

When you play professional sport, it leaves a void in your life. (Former NSW and Australian half) Scott Hill spoke about it last week (at a Men Of League lunch). When it finishes, you just feel empty. You think “what am I going to do now?” I know Steve struggled. Kevvie was lucky. He kept a focus on footy.

How long did it take you to get used to not playing footy?

A long time. I am fine now, I have realised I was lucky to have my time and get paid. You appreciate what the fans gave you and now you think you have the chance to give something back.