NRL 2021: Kevin Walters says he believes Xavier Coates will stay at the Broncos

Xavier Coates appears to be on the way to the Storm, but Broncos coach Kevin Walters says his rising winger isn’t going anywhere. Latest training news here.

Brisbane Broncos training in Sydney ahead of Thursday nights match against South Sydney - Xavier Coates Picture Supplied

Kevin Walters has hit back at Melbourne with the Brisbane coach declaring Xavier Coates will stay at the Broncos as he ramps up the fight to stop the boom winger joining the Storm next season.

The Broncos have been rocked by a report that Coates is on the verge of signing a two-year deal with the Storm after Saturday night’s clash against the Cowboys in Townsville.

New Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy held urgent talks with Coates’ management on Friday night to seek clarity on the future of the Queensland Origin rookie, who is off-contract at season’s end.

Speculation is rife premiers Melbourne have got their man after Coates first held secret talks with Storm coach Craig Bellamy last December.

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Kevin Walters says he believes Xavier Coates will be staying at Red Hill. Picture: John Gass

The 20-year-old flyer will make a final decision over the weekend, with the Storm anticipating an answer on Monday, and Walters vowed to do everything possible to ensure Coates is not part of the Broncos exodus.

Brisbane have lost four of their brightest talents in the past two years including Titans star David Fifita, Warriors whizkid Reece Walsh, Cowboys-bound Tom Dearden and Roosters sensation Sam Walker.

“I believe Xavier will be staying at the Broncos,” Walters said.

“Until we get information that that’s not going to happen, that’s where we are heading.

“I’m confident he will stay.

“We are moving in the right direction as a club, I can assure you of that, and Xavier is a part of that. We want him to be part of our future plans at the Broncos and be the Broncos that everyone knows we can be.

“Xavier’s big focus is to play well for his team and for his club. We’ve had a conversation around that and he just has to block out all the outside noise and play well for the Broncos this week.

Money is not the sole consideration for Coates, who will have no doubt noted the incredible six-try haul by Josh Addo-Carr in Melbourne’s thumping 50-0 defeat of Souths on Thursday night.

Addo-Carr will join the Bulldogs next season and the Storm see the towering Coates as the perfect replacement on Melbourne’s left wing with his speed and athleticism.

Melbourne’s two-year deal is worth around $850,000 in total, but the Broncos are ready to up the ante financially to keep Coates at Red Hill.

“Xavier is one of the guys we plan to keep. That’s being sorted at the moment,” Walters said.

“We’re backing Xavier all the way, we will put everything around him to make him the footballer he wants to be.

“It’s not just about the finances for me.

“Every player is important to our organisation, especially when they come through our systems. We have put a lot of work into Xavier, into his football, into his development right from the EPD (Elite Player Development program), he’s a good young player and we want to hang onto him.

“I can assure the Broncos fans and members that we have a strong plan at the Broncos now and into the future and Xavier is part of that plan.”

Xavier Coates has been spectacular at times this season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Broncos will run with an unchanged team to the side which beat the Titans 36-28 last week, with Walters playing down suggestions boom back-rower Brendan Piakura could make his debut against the Cowboys.

Piakura was heavily involved at Broncos training on Friday and will travel with an extended squad to Townsville.

“Brendan is 18th or 19th man so we will stick to the same side that did the job last week,” Walters said.

“He is very close to a debut, he is coming back from a shoulder injury so he needs to play some footy, but he is a good young prospect for us and we want to give him a taste of the NRL when we can.”