NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters details what’s changing this pre-season

Kevin Walters and the Broncos cannot afford another season that fails to deliver a finals berth - and the coach has identified where the club must improve.

Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters Picture NRL Photos

Kevin Walters insists he has smoothed tensions with Ben Ikin as the Broncos coach braces for a career-defining season in his quest to snap Brisbane’s 17-year premiership drought.

Walters returned to Red Hill this week to begin pre-season preparations for the 2023 NRL premiership – the most important campaign of his coaching career.

Off-contract at the end of next season, Walters must guide Brisbane to a drought-breaking finals appearance or risk being sacked after three years in charge of his beloved Broncos.

Following some turbulent years since the sacking of seven-time title-winner Wayne Bennett in 2018 and Anthony Seibold’s failed wooden spoon tenure (2019-20), the Broncos stabilised under Walters last season.

A 13-11 record could have delivered Brisbane its first finals berth since 2019, but a shocking end to the regular season – five losses in the last six rounds – saw the Broncos miss the play-offs in spectacular fashion.

Instead of featuring in September, Walters and the Broncos were left to ponder what could have been during a series of reviews and summits to figure out what triggered Brisbane’s dramatic implosion.

Walters, 55, believes he has the answers and launched Brisbane’s pre-season this week as he sets his sights on taking the Broncos back to the top eight in 2023.

“I’m very excited,” Walters told The Sunday Mail.

Walters is preparing for a big 2023 NRL season. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Once the season was finished we digested what happened. We identified a couple of areas that we need to get better in and we’re working hard on that.

“You’re always striving to get better, whether you come first or last. Everyone is trying to get better, from recruitment to staff to the players and making sure the program is working for them.

“I saw it as a learning period for all of us, including myself. We possibly got a bit ahead of ourselves to some degree, I don’t know.

“We finished where we did (ninth) with 13 wins and 11 losses. I’m trying to look at that more so than dissecting the season.

“We had some really good moments and some others where we need to get better. Unfortunately that was the back end of the year.

“Being at the Broncos … it’s a very unique club. We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard to get to where we want to go.”

THE KEV-OLUTION

When Walters took over Brisbane’s top job in late 2020, he insisted he had a plan to deliver the Broncos their first NRL title since 2006.

It’s been a slow burn as he overhauled a badly-managed roster and rebuilt a fractured culture that saw the Broncos claim the wooden spoon that year.

He now has a squad with some of the NRL’s top young talent in the likes of Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth andSelwyn Cobbo.

There is plenty to like about the Broncos – but Walters says they must improve their defence if they are to be title chances next year, which is why he has overhauled this pre-season approach.

“It certainly will be different,” he said.

“Our defence fell away in the back half of the season so that is an area we need to get better with.

Reece Walsh is a big name signing for 2023. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

“We’re going to change our defensive structures, particularly our edge defence. We were okay through the middle but not at a standard that will get us into the top four or that premiership space.

“We’re maturing as a group and coming together. We can’t speed that up in any way. We are a team that’s growing together.

“We’ve got some experienced players in ‘Reyno’ and ‘Capes’ but the rest of the squad is still learning about themselves and how to be an exceptional NRL player. The staff are working with them to help them grow in that space.

“A lot of these guys are coming into that 50-100 games mark where you find your feet in the NRL and either make it or slip out the back. The progress we made this year was very encouraging.

“This is a good period for the players and coaching staff to put in a lot of hard and smart work in, but also have a bit of fun, because that’s what footy is about.

“We are refreshed and ready to go again, 2022 is in the rear vision mirror now, we are looking forward to 2023.”

SOOTHING SIMMERING TENSIONS

As the Broncos picked up the pieces of an ultimately failed campaign, the club was buffeted by public revelations Walters and head of football Ikin had a strained relationship.

The breakdown had been brewing for a year as Ikin found himself on the outer of Walters’ inner sanctum after being brought to the club to replace former football chief Peter Nolan.

The story – revealed by The Sunday Mail – sparked action at Red Hill as the duo and CEO Dave Donaghy brought it to a head.

If the Broncos were to be successful, they needed the club’s most senior figures pulling in the same direction and Walters says that’s now the case.

Ben Ikin and Walters haven’t seen eye-to-eye. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We certainly are (on the same page),” Walters said.

“Ben and I played a lot of footy together and won premierships together. Our objective now is to win another premiership now.

“We acknowledged from both of our perspectives (things needed to improve) and are now moving forward together.

“Our communication lines are well and truly working now. It’s all systems go for us.

“The board is on board and Dave has been great for myself and the players and a real tower of strength.”

THE CONTRACT SAGA

After being appointed Seibold’s successor from 2021 on a two-year contract, the Broncos showed faith in Walters by extending his deal until the end of 2023 before the start of last season.

He vindicated the board’s decision by guiding the Broncos into top four contention before a terrible finish to the season crushed Brisbane’s finals quest.

The decision-makers at the club are now keeping their powder dry, opting to wait for next season to progress before making a decision on Walters’ future.

It’s finals or bust for Walters, with the Broncos granted a relatively favourable first seven weeks of the season before a nightmare run to the finals. A slow start to the season could be terminal for Walters.

Despite his future being on the line, Walters said he had no anxiety about his position.

Walters is under pressure heading into 2023. Picture: Jerad Williams

“No, not at all,” he said.

“From the day I walked in here I understood it’s going to be tough. Coaching in the NRL is tough.

“You talk to all the coaches. Whether you’re Wayne Bennett with 800-900 games, Craig Bellamy (Storm coach for 20 years) through to the guys like myself and Justin Holbrook (Titans, fourth season). It’s a tough gig but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than here working at the Broncos to get the club to improve each year.

“Every year is big, particularly in the NRL as a head coach. You want your team to do well, win more games than you lose and be there (in the finals). You want to see improvement in the place.

“My goal hasn’t changed around premierships. That’s what I’m here for – to bring that attitude.

“Can I get better as a coach? I certainly can. I’m two years into what I believe will be a long-term career here at the Broncos.

“As long as we continue to improve and our players are wanting to stay, and we’re providing an environment for them to improve and get better in, that’s what I see my role as.

“If we get all those ingredients right, everything else like the premierships will come. We’re not there yet, but we’re heading in the right direction for that to be a genuine reality for us.”

TURNING TO MENTORS

After an indecisive first year (2021) in which the Broncos finished 14th, Walters matured as an NRL coach last season.

The recruitment of Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell brought a calming influence and players like Pat Carrigan, Farnworth and Cobbo improved dramatically.

Walters said he had turned to former mentors in Bennett, now coach of Broncos rivals the Dolphins, and Bellamy for support.

Walters has sought advice from former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett. Pic Darren England.

“I speak to Craig and Wayne, all those influences,” he said.

“Ricky Stuart (Raiders coach) is another confidant I speak to. They’re all fighting their own little battles.

“I’ve got a good support network there as well as the people here. Benny Ikin and Dave Donaghy have been really good along with all the staff.

“We know where we want to get to. It’s about putting the steps in place and continuing the momentum we’ve built over the last couple of years.”