NRL 2023: Warriors’ Walker brothers mystery solved | Sport Confidential
Legend has it the Walker brothers won the Warriors job as co-coaches for 2021 after a round of golf with owner Mark Robinson — so what really happened? Read Sport Confidential.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Warriors boss Cameron George has broken his silence on one of rugby league’s great mysteries – did the club promise their head-coaching role to Ben and Shane Walker?
Legend has it the Walker brothers, who coached Ipswich to the Queensland Cup premiership in 2015, had secured the Warriors job as co-coaches for the 2021 season after a round of golf with owner Mark Robinson.
It was said to be such a done deal that the ABC radio even reported the Walkers had won the Warriors job, only for Nathan Brown to be announced as coach of the New Zealand outfit days later.
On the eve of the Broncos-Warriors preliminary final on Saturday, George confirmed the Walkers were on the club’s radar, but disputed suggestions the Jets duo had formally signed.
“I can assure you it wasn’t a done deal,” George said.
“There were three or four options on the table and while they presented well and I know they played golf with ‘Robbo’, we never agreed terms.
“We interviewed the Walkers boys a few years ago, certainly.
“I just don’t think as a club we wanted to go down that road with the dual co-coaching role.
“As much as Ben and Shane assured us it could be streamlined with one guy being accountable and so on, I didn’t feel it was the right path to go down at that time.
“We needed to be certain about what we were doing, rather than hoping what we would get.
“It was nothing against the Walkers’ coaching style, it just didn’t work out at that point in time.”
COKE ADDICTION
Which big-name NRL star is under fire for drinking three cans of Coca-Cola every day? It’s an embarrassing diet for a professional athlete. We can only wonder what his NRL coach would think if he discovered his star player’s dietary addiction.
YES MAM! BRISBANE’S $5 MILLION BRONCOS COUP
Ezra Mam has declared he has no intention of quitting Brisbane as club bosses ramp-up a $5 million-plus package deal for the Broncos pivot and his superstar teammate Reece Walsh.
The Broncos are confident wonder boys Mam and Walsh will stay loyal to the club as the dynamic duo prepare for Saturday night’s preliminary final blockbuster against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
Mam, 20, and Walsh, 21, are off-contract at the end of next season, meaning the rising stars are poised to become free agents from November 1 this year, just a month after the NRL grand final.
But the Broncos are determined to avoid the young guns heading to the open market.
Brisbane have started preliminary talks on extensions for Walsh and Mam and are hopeful they will not be blown out of the water by rival offers despite the looming salary-cap crunch coming at Red Hill.
Such is his meteoric rise, Mam is only on around $250,000 this season and Brisbane face almost tripling his salary beyond the $700,000 mark given his outstanding 2023 campaign.
The good news for Brisbane fans is that Mam can sense a premiership dynasty at Red Hill, with the young playmaker revelling in the mentoring he is receiving from his senior halves partner Adam Reynolds.
“I would love to stay at the Brisbane Broncos,” Mam said.
“I definitely want to stay loyal.
“They have helped me out a lot and I’ve had my debut here, but it’s not really my focus at the moment.
“I am focused on the Warriors this week and putting good football together for the fans.
“But we are building something great here at the Brisbane Broncos and I want to be a part of it.
“We are building something special and hopefully we can keep the run going.”
The Broncos will move to give Mam and Walsh multi-year extensions in a retention drive that will likely see the backline sensations remain at Brisbane until 2027 and beyond.
That will give Brisbane stability in their spine long after the retirement of skipper Reynolds, who is tipped to call it quits at the end of 2025, by which time he will be 35.
Reynolds lauded the impact and development of fullback Walsh and five-eighth Mam in Brisbane’s rise as a title contender.
“I like their free flow style of footy,” he said.
“They are two young fellas who are extremely driven.
“They are winners, they are competitors, they hate losing and it’s a good trait to have.
“They keep me young. They stress me out at times, but they are joyful blokes to play with.
“I can be that experienced player where I help them grow and learn and give them some pointers in what works and what doesn’t work at certain times in a game.
“If I can help make them better during my time at the club, my job is done.”
ORIGIN SCHEDULE UNDER REVIEW
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the State of Origin schedule will be reviewed at season’s end as part of a possible shake-up for the 2024 series.
The stance from V’landys came as former Queensland coaches Wayne Bennett and Kevin Walters called for the six-week Origin period to be cut back to four weeks.
NRL club bosses have raised the prospect of a shortened State of Origin campaign next season and V’landys confirmed the interstate schedule will go under the microscope.
“We will review the season in total and State of Origin will be part of that review,” he said.
“If we can do things better, we always will, but we can’t make change for change’s sake. There has to be some benefit.
“The NRL’s job is a hard one because it has to look at the game as a whole.
“Clubs and state authorities look at their little patches but we have to consider all the patches as a whole.”
Former Maroons coach Walters believes the six-week period is too disruptive for NRL clubs.
“I would be a big fan of condensing it up,” he said.
“Origin is a great concept for our game, but we just have to make sure it’s in the right space. It (four weeks) would be less of a distraction on the season.
“I love that our boys play Origin, we just need to get it in the right piece of the puzzle, but it’s certainly a great piece of the puzzle, especially when Queensland win.”
Bennett added: “We need a four-week Origin period.
“The 2020 series (during Covid) was so enjoyable, we were together for three weeks and had the best time as a group.
“Six weeks is too long and it takes a huge toll on the clubs and players.
“They can have a 10-day period leading into Origin I and then for Origin II and III you have a seven-day break between games.
“It’s the hardest preparing for Game One, but seven days is long enough for the other two games.”
DOLPHINS HIT BACK AT NRL OVER ANTI-TAMPERING SCANDAL
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins are on a collision course with the NRL as the new franchise prepares to fight explosive charges over the Deine Mariner anti-tampering scandal.
Sport Confidential can reveal the Dolphins are going down swinging, with the expansion newcomers to lodge a formal report hitting back at sensational claims they tried to entice Mariner into breaking his Broncos contract.
The NRL hit the Dolphins with a breach notice last week after fielding a formal complaint with the Broncos, who are adamant their expansion rivals broke anti-tampering laws by attempting to poach Mariner.
The NRL has slapped the Dolphins with a $50,000 fine — $25,000 of which is suspended — pending a response to their breach notice, which will duly arrive by the close of business on Thursday.
Mariner’s manager Dixon McIver was also levelled with a 12-month suspended sentence and is ostensibly on a good-behaviour bond for the next two years.
But the Dolphins are seething at any suggestion they have deliberately flouted the code’s anti-tampering rules and have filed a robust counterclaim to League Central outlining their defence of Mariner’s poaching allegations.
The NRL integrity unit has breached the Dolphins for failing to provide adequate records of their dealings with Mariner and his manager McIver.
But Redcliffe are going toe-to-toe with the NRL with what they believe is a compelling case.
Dolphins bosses have pointed out the club signed 36 players — a complete NRL full-time roster — in just over 12 months, not receiving a single other complaint as they lodged all paperwork with the NRL.
Such was the integrity of the Dolphins’ negotiations in player signings, it is understood the NRL commended the club for their detailed note-taking of transactions.
The Dolphins also supplied evidence of negotiations with a number of NRL stars they ultimately failed to snare, including Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Brandon Smith, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Reece Walsh.
It is why Dolphins boss Terry Reader last week declared he was “perplexed” by the NRL’s breach notice.
The Dolphins are also expected to argue that the NRL has cherrypicked quotes from their evidence and, in some cases, used partial quotes to mount their case.
They will further point out that the evidence of Mariner’s agent McIvor, as well as his subsequent public comments, support their case.
The Dolphins were of the belief that there was no need to keep written notes of their talks with McIvor because it was simply a general conversation and no dollars or deal were ever discussed.
It is understood the Dolphins deliberately took a conservative stance in talks with McIvor to ensure they stayed within the rules and because they were well aware that the agent had a longstanding relationship with Brisbane recruitment boss Simon Scanlan — McIvor had posted images of the pair on social media.
The Dolphins were wary of being exploited as a possible bargaining chip, as they had been with many players in their battle to put together an inaugural squad.
The Dolphins will also raise concerns over the way the matter was handled given they were told by the NRL in early-December that they would be in touch soon and were happy to discuss any issues.
The next time they heard from the NRL was when the sanction dropped nine months later on September 14 — R U OK Day, a national day of action for Australians in the battle against mental-health challenges.
It was only two years ago that the NRL handed the Dolphins the code’s historic 17th licence, but now the parties are at loggerheads.
McIvor is adamant the Dolphins are innocent and claims to feeling “violated”.
“I am disappointed and shocked to be honest,” he said of the NRL’s ruling.
“I will stand by my comments and my word that the Dolphins did nothing wrong … because if the Dolphins have done something wrong, then I have done something wrong, and I am adamant I did not break any rules.
“It feels a bit like being robbed. You go into your house knowing someone has violated you.
“I confirmed at the time (to Brisbane) that there was interest in him, but the Dolphins knew he was contracted and we had complete transparency with the Broncos.
“Nothing ever eventuated beyond a basic discussion with the Dolphins.”
BRONCOS GO INTO REHAB
The Broncos have teamed up with a wellness facility to ensure the club is mentally refreshed and ready to create an NRL dynasty.
The Broncos have struck a three-year deal with The Banyans Healthcare, which runs a “world renowned Luxury Wellness Retreat in the south east Queensland hinterland”.
Banyans has partnered with the Broncos “to provide their high performing athletes and business network with the tools needed to thrive”.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said the club recognised burnout was a factor in the high-pressure world of the NRL and wanted to be proactive.
“We know all too well that the business and sporting world can be high paced, high octane with plenty of high-functioning individuals, prone to burnout,” he said.
“Being able to have a direct connection with an organisation offering an escape and a sanctuary to unwind and heal, and prioritise health and wellbeing, just makes sense.”
Banyans founder Ruth Limkin said they could help the Broncos thrive.
“We want to help high-capacity people stay at the top of their game,” she said.
“Whether it’s athletes, executives, public figures, or medical professionals, we all benefit from focus and intention to stay healthy and productive.
“The partnership with The Broncos is a good representation of that.”
MILES AHEAD OF THE REST
There’s nothing like a news-savvy politician jumping on the bandwagon at the perfect time.
An interesting sight at Brisbane training on Wednesday was Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles, who watched intently as Broncos players were put through their paces at Suncorp Stadium.
Miles chatted with Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy before coach Kevin Walters wandered over to say hello.
Miles is rarely, if ever, sighted at Red Hill, but with Brisbane about to face the Warriors in a 50,000-sellout preliminary final at Suncorp on Saturday night, the deputy premier has caught a timely dose of Broncos title fever.
MAGIC MARTIN’S FIGHT BACK
The Broncos will be hoping their shock lifeline to Te Maire Martin doesn’t come back to haunt them on Saturday night.
Martin will return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in Warriors colours plotting the downfall of the Broncos in the grand-final qualifier.
But what few know is the Warriors initially rejected Martin’s comeback plans to the NRL last year after he suffered a career-threatening brain bleed during his stint at the Cowboys in 2019.
When the Warriors baulked, Martin’s manager reached out to the Broncos, who agreed to sign the grand-final pivot to a basic one-year deal after medical tests cleared him of any brain-trauma issues.
Martin won eight of 13 games last year and such was his form for the Broncos, it convinced the Warriors to bring the playmaker home. Now he is on a collision course with the Broncos for a grand-final berth.
“Te Maire has been awesome,” Warriors boss Cameron George said.
“’Webby’ (Warriors coach Andrew Webster) actually coached ‘T’ at the Wests Tigers, so they had a connection and when we had a chat to Te Maire, we knew he would connect with Webby.
“T is just such an honourable, grounded guy. A great clubman. He loves being home in New Zealand.
“Away from footy, he has his family, fishing and hunting, which he enjoys, and we are just thrilled he is back playing well because he deserves it after everything he went through with his brain bleed.”
HATCHING A PLAN
The Brisbane Tigers finally broke their 32-year title drought in last Sunday’s Queensland Cup grand final, but one man who missed the party was QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher.
A proud Tigers man who played for the club as a strapping centre, Hatcher was on a plane to London for a family holiday when his beloved club roared to a 22-18 premiership defeat of Burleigh.
The Brisbane Tigers are attempting to win the NRL’s 18th licence and ‘Hatch’ would love nothing more than seeing the proud club in the big league.
REYNOLDS REELING IN CLEARY
Already bracing for a hit if there’s a Panthers-Broncos grand final, TAB are now also sweating on the result of the Clive Churchill Medal thanks to Brisbane’s two big guns.
The Aussie bookmaker predictably inserted Nathan Cleary as favourite in their Clive Churchill Medal market but the Panthers superstar has since been overhauled in betting by Reece Walsh.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds is now rivalling Cleary as the second best backed to be best on ground should they make the GF.
“Walsh is proving more than just popular with teenage fans, punters love him too,” said TAB’s media man Rohan Welsh.
“The classy fullback has around 17 per cent of the Clive Churchill medal money at $8.50, Cleary has almost 16 per cent, but the recent interest has really come for Reynolds since kicking the Storm off the park in week one of the playoffs.
“He has about 15 per cent of the outlays and you’d think if Brisbane are going to make the decider and be any chance of winning it, he has to outplay Cleary and be the Broncos main man, like he’s been paid to come up here and do.”
Stephen Crichton at $41 has been the best backed roughie.
RCG FEELING BLUE
Eels enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been left with a black eye after being punched by teammate Junior Paulo.
But, no, it wasn’t a case of brawling NRL stars, with the Eels teammates enjoying a high-octane boxing session ahead of their cameos in an NRL fight night in Townsville on Saturday, October 7.
‘RCG’ will take on Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo, while Junior Paulo will throw down with former Queensland Origin prop Ben Hannant, who went the distance with Paul Gallen.
“I’m learning so much training with Junior,” Campbell-Gillard said.
“Some blokes just have that natural boxing ability and Junior has it.
“I’ve taken some good shots from him and haven’t gone down, so that’s given me some confidence, although he got me with a good shot the other day.
“I saw the punch coming, but I wasn’t quick enough to block it, so I’m walking around with a black eye at the moment.
“It’s a sport that needs total respect. When it’s done right it’s a great craft and very enjoyable to watch, so I’m getting comfortable being uncomfortable.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2023: Warriors’ Walker brothers mystery solved | Sport Confidential
‘Scandalous’: Shocking twist in Aussie snub
The Jillaroos coach is under fire after his explanation for dropping the NRLW’s best player from the Aussie squad was questioned.
‘The Panthers era is over’: Three reasons there’ll be no ‘five in 2025’
At the risk of being made look foolish again, DEAN RITCHIE claims 2025 will mark the end of the Penrith Panthers dynasty, with the tyranny of travel and lack of home ground just the start of the issues that club must conquer.