Brisbane Broncos awards night drama as Kevin Walters fails to show

A big-name absentee at the Broncos’ presentation night has got tongues wagging as the club’s biggest stars made a statement.

Reece Walsh, Deine Mariner, Grace Kama and Ezra Mam. Photo: David Clark.

Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam sent a statement at the Broncos’ awards night on Thursday in their first public appearance since a turbulent trip to Bali.

The pair were impossible to miss as they made bold arrivals at the Paul Morgan Medal presentation just weeks after Walsh ended up in an Indonesian hospital following a surfing incident.

Mam was also investigated by the NRL Integrity unit over a late night incident in which a third party’s phone was damaged.

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The NRL found no action needed to be taken against the star duo with Mam reportedly paying for a new phone.

It’s why their returns were so eye-catching — but they were far from the biggest talking point.

Sacked coach Kevin Walters was a notable absentee at the event — after a post-season review resulted in the club legend walking the plank.

Reece Walsh, Deine Mariner, Grace Kama and Ezra Mam. Photo: David Clark.

Walters was overcome with emotion when he faced the press last month. He remains an employee at the club, having been offered an “ambassador” role.

Despite this, the 56-year-old was not there at The Star alongside his former players, News Corp first reported.

The Courier-Mail reported Walters had informed the club in advance that he would not be there.

The Broncos were lightning quick in appointing former NSW coach Michael Maguire in the days that followed the end of Walters’ coaching tenure. He reportedly still has three more years on the ambassadorial role agreed upon.

It wasn’t all drama and dejection. Pat Carrigan was a popular winner of the Paul Morgan Medal as the player of the year.

Carrigan was well clear of his teammates with 86 votes from coaches and players with Selwyn Cobbo (50), Kotoni Staggs (48), Payne Haas (32), Reece Walsh (26), Corey Jensen (23) and Kobe Hetherington (22) also on the board.

Carrigan also won the Shane Webcke Award for Best Forward as well as the Gary Balkin Award for Players’ Player.

Staggs received the Allan Langer Award for best backline player. Walsh did not collect any awards, having played just 14 games in 2024.

Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Jock Madden. Picture David Clark.

Meanwhile, the club has come under fire from some of the biggest names in the history of the Brisbane team ever since Walters had the rug pulled out from under him.

Broncos legend and club board member Darren Lockyer this week shared details of how Walters’ departure unfolded.

Despite being contracted until the end of 2026, Walters was axed last month following a disappointing season that saw the Broncos finish 12th on the ladder and miss finals.

It came after a club review that was scathing of the Broncos’ standards and coaching processes. Part of the review was reportedly conducted via players filling out an anonymous online survey.

Kevin Walters was sacked with two years left on his deal. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Darren Lockyer said the sacking wasn’t pleasant. Picture: John Gass.

Lockyer told the Courier Mail the board made the decision to sack Walters after the team’s form dipped significantly in the second half of the season to finish with 10 wins and 14 losses.

“Kevvie is a great bloke and that’s what makes it so difficult,” said Lockyer, who won three premierships as a player with Walters.

“It’s not pleasant at all when you have to move on a legend of the game. He was also five minutes away from winning the grand final last year if it wasn’t for Nathan Cleary.

“This year at the back end of the year the team fell away significantly.

“The call was made based on the playing talent that is there at the Broncos, which there is plenty of.

“We feel that Michael Maguire has some traits that will complement what the Broncos need.”

Meanwhile, Broncos icon and longtime trainer Allan Langer is believed to be considering his future at the club as a result of Walters’ departure.

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos awards night drama as Kevin Walters fails to show