Kevin Walters supporter slams Selwyn Cobbo claims as Broncos try to limit damage

A senior Broncos player has slammed Selwyn Cobbo’s assertion about Kevin Walters’ coaching ability as pressure mounts on the Brisbane mentor.

Kevin Walters admits he was hurt by Selwyn Cobbo’s comments. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Broncos bosses have been urged to show faith in Kevin Walters as pressure builds on the besieged coach to save his career at Red Hill in wake of Selwyn Cobbo’s brutal sledge.

Cobbo ignited another firestorm at the Broncos this week when comments he made on a podcast last year resurfaced.

In the interview, Cobbo was asked whether Walters is a good coach or not, to which he responded: “He’s a good person, like a good bloke but I don’t think he’s a good coach. He’s not the best coach but he’s all right,” Cobbo said.

“I feel like he’s just a good person but I don’t reckon he’s a coach. Even though he experienced footy, been through all the grand finals and all that, but I feel like he’s not a coach.

“But he’s a good person, a good bloke and does a lot for the club. But the way he coaches is a bit weird, I guess. He’s a good person though. He’s an alright coach.”

Selwyn Cobbo has hit out at coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Cobbo, 20, backtracked on the comments on Sunday as they went viral, with the club issuing a carefully-worded statement attributed to the Queensland Origin winger.

Walters responded to Cobbo’s criticism on Monday, admitting he was left hurt by the comments but vowing to continue plotting Brisbane’s resurgence.

“Certainly it did (hurt), yeah, it was disappointing in that regard,” Walters told Channel 9.

“We spoke about it, had a good chat. I won’t say father and son but along those lines.

“Knowing Selwyn as I do and as we do at the club, it was probably a little bit out of line from Selwyn. It’s not normally in his character to be like that.

“He rang me pretty early in the morning when it all surfaced and was very apologetic.

Kevin Walters admits he was hurt by Selwyn Cobbo’s comments. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Even the great Wayne Bennett’s got his critics. I’m no different.

“I’m a big believer in what we’re doing here and how we’re going about it. We’ll stay on that path and it’s great that Selwyn will be on that path as well.

“We’ve all learnt from it, certainly myself and also Selwyn. We’ll get on with things and look forward to building a great future here with Selwyn and the Broncos.”

While all parties insist the matter has been sorted, it was another blow to the off-contract Walters as he fights to save his job.

Since taking over Brisbane’s top job from Anthony Seibold in late 2020, Walters has guided the Broncos to 14th and ninth-placed finishes.

The Broncos are yet to extend his contract beyond the upcoming NRL season, thrusting the spotlight on Walters’ future at Red Hill.

Cobbo’s comments raised questions about whether Walters had the support of the playing group.

Selwyn Cobbo clarifies his statements.

Selwyn Cobbo's Instagram statement.

But veteran winger Corey Oates insisted he was the right man for the role after the Broncos legend helped the club fight back from the 2020 wooden spoon horror.

“I would definitely back him, yes,” he said.

“I’ve been here through a lot of things and I think Kevvie’s doing a great job.

“He’s finding out the sort of coach he is and what sort of players he’s dealing with. It’s not easy to do when you’ve got a team that’s struggled for so many years.

“He’s done a great job to be honest. He’s brought really good players to the club and is getting boys to perform.

“To me, that’s a coach on the way to really knowing who they are as a coach. I think he’s doing a really good job.”

Cobbo’s comments added to a long list of off-field distractions for the Broncos in recent years.

Corey Oates throws support behind besieged coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Oates said the situation had the potential to derail the Broncos, but it had been addressed quickly and Walters would move on.

“It would be hard, but I’ve known Kevvie for a long time and he is someone that will forgive really quickly,” he said.

“As long as you front up and own it face-to-face he is definitely the sort of bloke that will be more appreciative of that.

“If they drag on, yes (it can be a distraction), but they knocked it on the head straight away that day. If you front it straight up and not try to hide from it (you can move on).

“Cobbo owned up and spoke to Kevvie. If he didn’t do that it would drag on.

“They dealt with it the right way and you move on now.”