Sport Confidential: Billy Walters quits Triple M Brisbane gig following savage criticism of father
This is the explosive Triple M segment that ignited a feud with the Walters family and saw Broncos hooker Billy walk away from his gig with the station. Listen to the cutting criticism.
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Brisbane hooker Billy Walters has dropped a broadcast bombshell by quitting his role with Triple M following savage criticism of his father, Broncos coach Kevin, and the club’s “poncy rock stars”.
The Walters family are at loggerheads with Triple M after the NRL rights holder’s breakfast show delivered a stinging critique of Walters’ coaching ability and the attitude of Brisbane players.
Former Wallabies star Greg Martin, Dan Anstey and Margaux Parker, the wife of former Broncos skipper Corey, head up Triple M’s popular Marto, Margaux and Dan breakfast show in Brisbane.
But Martin hit a nerve with the Broncos following the club’s 41-16 loss to the Bulldogs in round 21, slamming Brisbane’s playing group and questioning if Walters should be axed, claiming he was too soft on his stars.
It is understood Walters’ wife, Narelle, was so stunned by Martin’s attack she called Margaux after the segment to express her disappointment.
Billy Walters has been an outstanding performer on the network with his common touch and candid views, but the grand-final rake has not appeared since Martin blasted the Broncos coach.
Walters has an NRL-approved third-party deal with Triple M.
Triple M hopes Walters will return to his segment, but skipper Adam Reynolds is now filling the abandoned radio slot as Brisbane fight to save their season ahead of Saturday night’s derby against the Dolphins.
“Adam Reynolds is taking over from Billy Walters on the breakfast slot for the remainder of the season,” a Triple M spokesperson said.
“Billy was a great addition to Triple M Breakfast this year and the guys loved having him on.
“Reyno has been a regular on Triple M for the last two years and Marto, Margaux and Dan are looking forward to having the skipper on for the rest of the season.”
Triple M is no stranger to an NRL brouhaha. Two years ago, former Sunday Sin Bin host Anthony Maroon sensationally quit following an on-air blow up involving Gorden Tallis, James Hooper and Paul Kent, the latter of whom also left the show.
It’s been a turbulent year for the Broncos and after being flogged by the Bulldogs, ‘Marto’ had enough, calling out Brisbane’s players and Walters’ coaching.
“These poncy rock stars that are at the Broncos, they need a kick up the ass,” said Martin, who played nine Tests for the Wallabies and was capped 65 times for Queensland.
“But no-one is prepared to give it to them because Kevvie isn’t tough enough on people.
“No-one is saying this because the media is littered with Kevin’s friends, OK.
“He is a great bloke, he is funny, fun and everything.
“I played league until I was 16.
“I have half an idea but geez there appears to be troubles in terms of coaching at the Broncos.”
Martin then stepped up his criticism.
“Social media has become a bigger part of the Broncos than defensive efforts,” he continued.
“You need someone to tell you some tough news.
“The Broncos need to put their foot down.
“The other day I jokingly called for Kevvie’s head but something has to change ... whether they get someone else.
“I don’t like confrontation myself so I make everything a laugh. That’s what Kevvie does ... it’s all fun and games, well it’s not fun and games now.
“Someone has to be tough and strong and the Broncos don’t have anyone to do it.
“I bet if Ben Ikin (former Broncos football boss) was there ... I bet he would step in.”
‘Kevvie’ has done a number of interviews with Triple M over the years - he was a former co-host of the Dead Set Legends show - but it remains to be seen whether the coach will also boycott the network.
SLEEPY WAYNE THE SAME
The Dolphins insist nothing has changed about coach Wayne Bennett since his decision to join South Sydney – even his fondness for taking a nap.
Bennett has come under criticism following the Dolphins’ crash out of the NRL’s top eight.
The Dolphins were sitting in the top four back in May when Bennett committed to a return to the Rabbitohs from next season.
Since then they have lost nine of their past 12 games and fallen to 10th, needing to beat the Broncos in Saturday’s Battle of Brisbane to stay alive in the finals race.
Bennett, 74, has been accused of trying to juggle two jobs at once, a near impossible task in the high-pressure NRL.
But the Dolphins haven’t noticed a change in the super coach, who’s renowned for nodding off.
“He falls asleep in meetings, but he’s done that since I’ve known him,” Dolphins prop Mark Nicholls said.
“I haven’t noticed any change in Wayne. That’s just external noise.
“He hates losing as much as anyone.
“He’s been the same from what I’ve seen. I’m sure he’s excited for this weekend.”
Former Broncos halfback Ben Hunt recently said some of his favourite memories of Bennett were seeing him asleep in Brisbane’s dressing room minutes before kick-off.
“It’s probably not one moment, just how he falls asleep everywhere,” Hunt said.
“My locker was the last one before you run out to Suncorp. We used to come in from warm-up before a game and he’d be asleep in the locker, out cold.”
DEVILS IN DEMAND
The Titans have beefed-up their forward stocks for 2025 after signing Norths Devils bookend Tuki Simpkins.
And Simpkins’ engine-room partner Cooper Jenkins is also in demand with up to five NRL clubs eyeing off the hard-running prop.
Simpkins and Jenkins have played a key role in the Devils’ charge to second spot, but Norths could be without the in-form duo next season.
Simpkins has signed a two-year deal with the Titans, while Jenkins has interest from several clubs including the Eels and Dragons.
At 22, Simpkins is a 192cm, 105kg prop who has charged for 1787 metres this season at an average of 111m per game.
The 23-year-old Jenkins, meanwhile, has amassed 1538 metres at 96m per game and is a hulking figure at 193cm and 110kg.
“I’m having a lot of clubs ringing me about Cooper because of his speed and power and the stats he is throwing up,” said Jenkins’ manager Gavin Orr.
“I have spoken to Parramatta and the Dragons about him. Cooper has had four or five offers to do affiliate programs, 16 weeks with an NRL club, but I think he’s good enough for a full-time contract.
“Cooper is a fast middle with a great attitude ... I would be surprised if he doesn’t play NRL regularly next year.”
BATTLE OF BRISBANE DOMINATES
The Battle of Brisbane has quickly become the NRL’s biggest rivalry and fans are voting with their feet.
The fourth instalment of Broncos-Dolphins showdowns at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night is on track to sell out.
That means it will have a 100 per cent record of every seat being sold since its launch last year.
The battle has overtaken the likes of Rabbitohs-Roosters and Panthers-Eels as the game’s biggest rivalry.
It will be a shame if the NRL draw changes in years to come and the Broncos and Dolphins only face off once.
The biggest game of the year is here 🎆 #PhinsUppic.twitter.com/5bYMgHCdIl
— The Dolphins (@dolphinsnrl) August 29, 2024
TITANIC SWANSONG
Des Hasler is ramping up his transformation of the Titans with two-time premiership-winner Isaac Liu the next player to depart the Gold Coast.
Liu’s understated NRL career will come to a close in next week’s final round clash against the Panthers in Penrith.
He is expected to join the Leigh Leopards in the Super League on a two-year contract.
Liu, 33, has carved out a 12-season NRL career with the Roosters and Titans since graduating from Gold Coast nursery Keebra Park High School.
An ultra-consistent performer at Bondi, Liu played in the Roosters’ history-making premiership teams in 2018-19.
He also played 17 Tests for Samoa (five) and his native New Zealand (12).
Liu will fall short of the 300-game milestone, but is on track to finish with 272 NRL appearances – a fine achievement for a middle forward.
Following a year at the helm of the Titans, Hasler is starting to make moves with his roster.
He is expected to release Erin Clark to the Warriors while Joe Stimson and Jacob Alick-Wiencke don’t have contracts beyond this year.
Young playmaker Tom Weaver has fallen down the pecking order and been in talks with Parramatta.
Halfback Tanah Boyd is also on the outer and has been given permission to leave with a year to run on his deal.
BRONCOS HALF STAYS LOYAL
Jock Madden has knocked back interest from the English Super League in his bid to become Adam Reynolds’ halfback successor at the Broncos.
The rising Brisbane playmaker has fielded poaching bids from at least two UK clubs after showing signs of promise this season at Red Hill.
The 24-year-old has played 10 games for the Broncos this season, snapping the match-winning field goal in Brisbane’s Magic Round defeat of Manly in May.
Madden had the opportunity to be a regular starter in Super League, but with Reynolds expected to retire at the end of 2025, the No.7 jumper is set to be up for grabs at the Broncos.
The former Australian Schoolboy is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2026 and is backing himself to stave off young gun Coby Black to be Brisbane’s next long-term halfback.
ZERAFA UNDER FIRE
Michael Zerafa should be banned from fighting Nikita Tszyu ... for now.
That is the opinion of the camp of Tszyu’s beaten rival Koen Mazoudier, who has offered to fight Michael Zerafa next in the wake of Wednesday night’s wild boxing scenes at Sydney’s ICC Theatre.
Zerafa is slated to fight Tszyu next, but after his brother punched a trainer inside the ring during a melee, there is a view Zerafa should pay a price.
Mazoudier lost a nine-round war to Tszyu and is keen for a crack at Zerafa, with his camp calling for the winner to be given a shot at Nikita.
“Koen is happy to fight Michael Zerafa any place, any time,” said Mazoudier’s adviser Peter Mitrevski.
“Zerafa doesn’t deserve to fight Tszyu yet after that performance.
“He went one round with Tommy Browne (who retired due to a bicep injury).
“Zerafa wasn’t that impressive, he struggled in that first round with an old, 41-year-old Tommy Browne.
“He got hit a few times. It was an even round.
“Zerafa is the most despised man in Australian boxing and we’d love to fight him.
“Koen was unbelievable against Nikita. Zerafa needs at least one more fight and we believe he should fight Koen next.
“If he wins, he gets Nikita and if Koen wins, then it’s a great re-match with Nikita, so it’s a great scenario either way.
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Originally published as Sport Confidential: Billy Walters quits Triple M Brisbane gig following savage criticism of father
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