NRL 2022: Inside Brisbane Broncos’ overhaul as Kevin Walters farewells 11 players
Nearly a third of Brisbane’s 2022 NRL squad departed this week, giving Kevin Walters a roster that is practically entirely his ahead of a pivotal third season in charge.
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Kevin Walters’ Red Hill revolution has continued with the Broncos coach farewelling 11 players in a bid to snap Brisbane’s 16-year premiership drought next season.
Nearly a third of Brisbane’s 2022 NRL squad has departed this week, giving Walters a roster that is practically entirely his ahead of a pivotal third season in charge of the Broncos.
Only 10 players from former coach Anthony Seibold’s 2020 NRL wooden spoon squad remain at the Broncos and the majority of those have been re-signed under Walters’ watch.
When a new coach takes over a club, they generally embark on a cleanout to assemble a roster they believe can deliver sustained success.
That has now happened and Walters will have few excuses around his squad next year when he attempts to deliver Brisbane its first NRL title since 2006.
The departing players include Jake Turpin, Ryan James, Albert Kelly, Brenko Lee, Tyson Gamble, Rhys Kennedy, Zac Hosking, Tyrone Roberts, Te Maire Martin and David Mead while Walters also released Jamayne Isaako mid-year.
“It’s been another year where we’ve had to let go of some players and others are moving on for different reasons,” Walters said.
“I wish all those guys all the best in their future careers. They’ve been great servants at the Broncos.
“We loved having them here and once you become a Bronco you’re always part of our great family.
“We’ve identified where we need to improve. I love working with these guys. They’re a great group of young fellas and a couple of older ones that joined us this year.
“We are on the right path and trajectory. I know where we need to go and how to get there. I’ve got great support around the club to make it happen.
“It wasn’t the best of finishes for us, but we surprised a lot of people with the football we played. It’s now about getting that consistency with our footy in years to come.
“When we do that, and I know we can do it, the good times will happen.”
The Broncos’ title drought will enter a 17th year in 2023 as Walters looks to deliver Brisbane its first NRL glory since 2006, prompting more changes in the Red Hill locker room.
After playing 60 games over five seasons for the Broncos, Turpin was shown the door and is yet to land an NRL contract for 2023.
James has retired from the NRL to complete studying following a 168-game career with the Titans, Raiders, Bulldogs and Broncos while Gamble was released from his 2023 contract to join Newcastle.
After starting the season at five-eighth, Kelly suffered a serious foot injury in round 4 and did not play for Brisbane again.
The Broncos helped Martin resurrect his career following a premature retirement due to a brain injury, but he has been signed by the Warriors following Reece Walsh’s move to Brisbane.
Mead retired late in the season, Kennedy has signed with Super League club Hull KR, Hosking has secured a contract with grand finalists Penrith and Roberts is yet to announce his next move following two NRL games this year.
Lee and Isaako – who was released to the Titans for the remainder of 2022 – will join expansion club the Dolphins ahead of their foundation season.
The Broncos looked finals certainties at the three-quarter point of the season before losing five of their last six games to crash out of the top four and finish ninth, ensuring their last finals appearance remains the 2019 horror 58-0 loss to Parramatta.
Walters said he wouldn’t be content with a top eight finish in 2023.
“We are all disappointed with how the season ended, but we have done our review and identified where we need to be better,” he said.
“It was a disappointing finish, I won’t hide behind that, but the review part has been one of identifying why that happened and how that happened and two making sure it doesn’t happen next year.
“The contents of the review we will keep in-house with the staff and players. Blind Freddy can see some of the areas that need to be better, but too much information gets leaked out of our place so we will share the information with the staff and players when they come back.
“Making finals is good, but at the Broncos it’s not just about making the playoffs, it’s about winning premierships and we have taken some good strides towards that this year.
“The goal next year is not just finals, I want a premiership next year. There will only be one winner this year and all the other 15 clubs will do their reviews and come back next year wanting to have a crack at winning it.
“The finals is a good stepping stone, but we have to work towards winning a premiership.”
While Walters has farewelled a stack of players, he will also welcome some new faces to Red Hill.
Walsh will be Brisbane’s highest-profile recruit while Jesse Arthars will also return from the Warriors.
Tigers playmaker Jock Madden has been signed while young guns Deine Mariner, Blake Mozer and Ethan Quai-Ward will be promoted to Brisbane’s top 30.
The Broncos have also bolstered their hooker stocks by signing Melbourne Storm product Tyson Smoothy from the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Inside Brisbane Broncos’ overhaul as Kevin Walters farewells 11 players
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