‘He will remain the coach’: Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy backs Broncos coach Kevin Walters
Dave Donaghy has set the record straight on Kevin Walters’ future amid fears the Broncos boss could be axed after Brisbane’s horror season.
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Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy has come out in support of Kevin Walters, declaring the Broncos coach will not be sacked in the wake of the club’s horror season.
Speaking exclusively to this masthead, Donaghy has addressed the future of Walters amid savage criticism of Broncos management, who were accused of being silent following last Saturday’s 40-6 drubbing by the Dolphins.
Walters is off-contract at the end of 2026, but there were fears the club legend could be terminated after Brisbane’s freefall from grand finalists last year to premiership also-rans this season.
The Dolphins loss ended their playoff hopes and the Broncos could finish the season as low as 12th if they are beaten by minor premiers Melbourne on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
As the injury-ravaged Broncos prepare for a virtual dead rubber against the Storm, Donaghy set the record straight on Walters’ future, insisting he will be in charge for the 2025 season.
The Broncos will launch a wide-ranging review of the club next week.
“Kev is the coach and he will remain the coach,” Donaghy said.
“It’s been a really disappointing year — everyone inside the club is feeling it and I’m sure our fans are, too.
“We’ll get through the game on Thursday and then with Kev, we will undertake our normal review process to start putting our plans together for next year’s campaign.
“We can’t afford to sit back and dwell for too long and we certainly don’t want to be in this position again.”
Brisbane were among the favourites with bookmakers to win the premiership this season but their title drought will now extend to 19 years following a drama-charged 2024 campaign.
Injuries, the State of Origin grind, a racism saga involving star pivot Ezra Mam and an off-field pre-season incident related to a drunken spat between Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan have marred their title ambitions.
Walters was so filthy after last week’s capitulation against the Dolphins he didn’t say a word to the shattered playing group post-match.
Pressure is building on Walters. He has missed the finals three times during his four-season tenure, but Walters has the backing of CEO Donaghy, who extended his contract after last year’s grand final appearance.
Walters has overhauled his staff for next season, hiring Eels interim coach Trent Barrett and former Queensland Origin hitman Ben Te’o as his assistants to replace John Cartwright and Lee Briers.
Donaghy is confident those changes will be the bedrock for a Walters-led fightback next season.
“We’ve got some new faces around Kev with the coaching group next year,” Donaghy said.
“I know Kevvie is really disappointed about our back half of the year.
“He obviously wears his heart on the sleeve and he feels it more than anyone and tries his best not to show it, but it’s been a challenging year for all of us.
“We’ll continue to invest in our footy program and put the pieces around him to ensure that we’re successful.
“We need to sharpen up to make sure we have a bounce back next year.”
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has slammed the playing group, accusing leading stars of letting Walters down.
“It’s the players,” he said.
“No Broncos player has come out and owned it.
“Until the Broncos get it back ... it’s hard work, it’s discipline, it’s friendships.
“It’s how hard they work and trust each other.
“Losers get into their small little groups and start digging at each other and until that stops ... the Broncos players have to dig themselves out of it.”
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Originally published as ‘He will remain the coach’: Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy backs Broncos coach Kevin Walters
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