‘Complete write off’: Ugly truth laid bare as Kevin Walters’ future in the spotlight

The Brisbane Broncos bosses have been deafeningly silent as coach Kevin Walters’ future lands under the blowtorch.

The Brisbane Broncos have been warned to make a decision one way or another on Kevin Walters’ future after the side crashed out of finals contention in a heavy defeat to the Dolphins on Saturday night.

The 2023 runners up were eliminated from the finals race in a 40-6 thrashing to the Dolphins, Brisbane’s first loss in the fixture dubbed the Battle of Brisbane.

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It ends what has been a disappointing season for the Broncos.

In round 11, the club was sitting in a good position at fifth on the ladder with a 7-4 record.

Since then, the Broncos have won three and lost nine including seven straight in the middle of the season.

And it has placed coach Walters’ tenure firmly in the spotlight.

Although he took over the head coaching role after a wooden spoon season, the Broncos have missed the finals in three of the four seasons he’s been in charge — although the other season saw the side go 20 minutes from a premiership.

The Broncos were so close in 2023. Photo: Adam Head

But there are short memories in rugby league — and you’re only as good as your last season, leaving Walters on the proverbial chopping block.

History has shown that the wait and see approach seldom works in the NRL with the Eels a prime example after making the 2022 grand final, missing the 2023 finals and being sacked halfway through 2024.

The Eels play the Wests Tigers on Friday night with the loser taking out the 2024 wooden spoon.

The Broncos also play on Friday night against a near full-strength Melbourne Storm, with reporter Paul Crawley telling Fox League’s NRL 360 that Brisbane can’t afford another thumping loss.

“If you look back on this season, in my eyes, the two defining matches were the big loss to the Bulldogs, and the big loss to the Dolphins last week,” Crawley said.

“The last thing (Walters needed) with all the noise and talk going on around him at the moment is to go out and get lapped by the Storm in the final round.

“We all know that Craig Bellamy takes pride in trying to beat the Broncos — I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the reason he rested his players last week and not this week. It’s a big match.”

Broncos great Gorden Tallis said it would be a “big challenge” for the Broncos to get up for the match.

Will the Broncos do it for Kevvie? Photo: NRL Photos

But The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said he had concerns about all the talk around Walters’ future.

“The fact that we’re talking about Kevvie in the space of ‘he’ll get to start next season’ and he’ll get to see (how he goes over the first) 12 rounds, it’s always a concern for me,” Riccio said.

“Because we’ve already seen it. We saw it with Anthony Griffin at St George Illawarra. The St George Illawarra board failed to make a decision in the pre-season of the year they eventually sacked him, and it was a wasted year for the Saints.

“We’re seeing it currently with Parramatta, they’re in a ‘Spoon Bowl’ with the Wests Tigers, moving on Brad Arthur with this season still underway.

“If the Broncos get into the situation of making a decision on Kevin Walters, next year is a complete write off. There’s no point whatsoever in going forward with Kevvie next year if they don’t believe he’s the man for the job beyond next season.”

Dave Riccio said the Broncos need to make a decision. Photo: Fox Sports

Braith Anasta questioned whether this week’s match would show if Walters still had the support of the playing group.

It comes after Broncos captain Adam Reynolds responded to Tallis’ criticism on radio about there being crickets from players in support of Walters.

It came after the halfback stepped in after Billy Walters quit his role with Triple M over criticism of his coach and father.

“I was on the radio this morning backing Kev,” Reynolds said to Tallis’ criticism.

“Kev brought me here from down south and has given me a great opportunity to come up to a great club and do something special. I love the place and I am forever thankful for Kev doing that.

“Kev has done a fantastic job in leading this club and he’s the right man for the job. We just need to get on-board and follow the instructions from Kev.

“I have never seen anyone more passionate about the club and someone who loves the club and it has to rub off on the players.

“I don’t believe there’s another man for the job. Kev has had success as a player and coach and we believe in him. He’s definitely the right man for the job.”

Tallis said he believed Walters did still have the players on board, adding: “The people I’ve talked to above say he is there next year, so there is no talk of him not being there next year.”

Tallis said the club knew that injuries and not managing expectations after making the Grand Final last year had added to the issue.

Tallis and Crawley had some words. Photo: Fox Sports

But Riccio said the silence from the Broncos bosses was deafening.

“What has to happen … we have not heard from anyone of the higher ups coming out and declaring Kevin Walters is at the Broncos for the remainder of next season,” Riccio said.

“No one.

“We haven’t heard a single word of CEO, chair declaring that Kevin Walters would be coach. And until that happens we are going to be in the scenario I’ve just spoken about.”

Tallis said from day one, Walters had been on his own, having to call his own press conference to announce his selection when he was named coach.

“There’s been no support there from day one, so he’s always been there on his own,” Tallis said.

“I trust Kevvie to dig them out of it.”

Crawley doubled down on Riccio’s point, speaking about Phil Rothfield’s comments on Monday night suggesting Walters should have until round 12 next season.

“Why round 12?” Crawley said. “If there’s a tough decision to be made, you make it now. Or you come out and back him and you put your word to it that he’s going to be there. Don’t crucify next season.”

Tallis pointed out that Wayne Bennett had not won a premiership in 15 years, saying: “Coaches don’t win unless you’ve got the best rosters.”

He added that the question was for the Broncos higher ups.

Originally published as ‘Complete write off’: Ugly truth laid bare as Kevin Walters’ future in the spotlight