Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Kevin Walters vows not to hold back on Broncos criticism in commentary return
Kevvie Walters has vowed not to rip off fans in his return to commentary, Tom Hazelton could leave Cronulla, Ricky Stuart’s wife spills the beans on the Raiders coach and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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Kevvie Walters has vowed he won’t be holding back on the Brisbane Broncos when he relaunches his media career on Fox Sports and Triple M this season.
Unceremoniously axed by the Broncos last year, Walters will be the must-listen-to media man for insights into his old club as the season pans out under new coach Michael Maguire.
Contrary to reports from last year around the time of his sacking, Walters is not staying on the Broncos payroll as an ambassador.
He has no official relationship with the club.
“I’ll call it as I see it,” Walters said.
“If it upsets someone, well, I’m just doing my job.
“You’re ripping off the viewers if you’re not being authentic.
“My views on the Broncos will be the same as my views on the other clubs.
“Sometimes it might piss people off but it’s our job to have an opinion and call things out.
“I’ll be honest, the same as commentators were with me when I was coaching. As long as you’re fair and balanced.”
Walters has had little contact with the players, other than his son Billy, since his departure.
He’s still disappointed about the way it finished but holds no grudges.
“I genuinely hope they do well,” he said.
“They’re all good fellas. What happened last year, happened. My concern this year is the club’s depth. I’m not sure how strong it will be when injuries happen.
“And with the new job, I like to see the good in the game rather than like some commentators who concentrate or focus on the negatives.
“It’s a great game, great athletes and great skill.”
Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley is a huge Walters fan.
“Don’t let Kevvie’s scallywag persona fool you because he was one of the masterminds of the Broncos’ six premierships playing either half or more often five eighth,” Crawley said.
“No one understood the great Alfie Langer and got the best out of him like he did and he’s always been one of Wayne Bennett’s favourites.
“He’s a wonderful commentator because he can cut to the chase just as quickly as he can fill a room with laughter. It’s just so good to have him back at Fox League.
Walters will also do a weekly podcast on Triple M with another coach who was axed last year – Jason Demetriou.
SAINT
In the true spirit of Anzac Day, it is so good to see the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies come together on a massive weekend footy package in the national capital. In a joint promotion, the rival codes will offer tickets from just $20 for the Brumbies v Hurricanes on Saturday, April 26 and then the Raiders v Dolphins on Sunday, April 27.
SINNER
The NSW government has been beaten to the punch by its Victorian counterpart to host the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles in an in-season NFL game at the MCG. It’s money well spent on a huge event that will drag squillions into the Victorian economy. Instead, we in NSW get the thuggery and violence that is the UFC at Qudos Bank Arena this afternoon and ratbags like US fighter Sean Strickland, who arrived in town and proceeded to trash our great country at his press conference.
SHOOSH
Which NRL club CEO has had some cosmetic work done on his melon in the off-season? He now is looking about 10 years younger than he did in 2024.
SHOOSH
Phil Gould is on a different page to Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton in his push to have player names on the back of jerseys. Back in 2020 Gus said the following on Twitter: “Nice concept. Won’t work for our game. The jersey belongs to the club, not players.”
SHOOSH
We’ve heard many stories over the years about NRL clubs rorting the salary cap. One used to hand out brown paper bags full of cash in the carpark of a western Sydney McDonalds. These days it’s far more discreet. One club is apparently paying for free home renovations through a sponsor. As the old saying goes, “if you don’t cheat, you don’t compete”.
SPOTTED
Old supercoach Wayne Bennett and boxing legend Jeff Fenech at Grappa restaurant in Leichhardt. This is where your columnist sprung him breaking the NRL’s strict Covid protocols back in 2020. He was suspended and put into isolation for two weeks.
SPOTTED
Ex-Test and Origin prop Marty Bella was always good for a quote during his playing days. Nothing has changed with his social media offerings on the Sam Kerr allegations before a London court: “SPEWING IN CAB, REFUSING PAY TO CLEANUP, SMASHING WINDOW. RACIALLY ABUSING COP. KEEPING CLASSY KERR STYLE.”
SPOTTED
You’ve gotta love the Rabbitohs fans who have named their two dogs Georgie and Piggins, proudly displaying the names of the club legend and saviour on their harnesses.
BIG CALL PITCHES ROOKIE INTO ROLE
Radio 2GB has appointed an ‘unknown’ station employee to host the Sunday afternoon Continuous Call team.
Gavin ‘one-iron’ Pitchford will replace Mark Levy, who is taking Sundays off after stepping into Ray Hadley’s weekday morning role.
Pitchford has previously hosted a weekend fishing show on 2GB but is best known as a panel operator and production guru.
The ‘one-iron’ at least knows his rugby league.
He has produced Matty Johns’ podcasts and The Daily Telegraph NRL podcast in the past.
2GB boss Tom Malone is confident it will work out.
“He’s been around for more than 20 years and knows radio, rugby league and what audiences are looking for,” Malone said.
“He’s got a good voice, a good turn of phrase, knows how to tell a story and knows the format of the show because he has worked on it for such a long time.”
Pitchford will have strong support from senior journo Neil Breen, who is on the show to provide a newsy touch and a break from the comedy.
FIFITA RETURNS TO SHIRE
Cronulla’s 2016 grand final hero Andrew Fifita is making another park football comeback at 35.
Fifita has signed up with De La Salle to play A-Grade in the Cronulla junior league.
The former NSW Blues Origin front-rower played for Woy Woy on the Central Coast last year where he became involved in ugly issues over racism.
De La Salle President Dave Nicholson said Fifita was keen to help develop young players.
“He’ll be good around the younger boys,” Nicholson said.
“He brings a really good work ethic.
“It’s not about money but more about him wanting to put back into junior footy.
“He just wants to play footy without any controversy.”
TOP DOGS CHECK VEGAS
Canterbury chairman Adam Driussi, CEO Aaron Warburton and general manager and footy boss Phil Gould are off to Las Vegas for the NRL season opener.
The main purpose of the trip is to check out facilities before a possible pitch to play there next year.
There is already talk of the Bulldogs playing St George-Illawarra in Vegas.
The Dragons are also keen to get involved.
PVL’S SUPER SIZED GIFT
Fast food chain McDonalds has shot a TV commercial for the rugby league season including Parramatta Eels skipper Mitchell Moses and independent commission chairman Peter V’landys.
V’landys was offered a $20,000 fee for appearing in the advertisement. Typical of his generosity towards charities, he donated the $20,000 straight to Ronald McDonald house.
DRAGONS HOPING ON HAZELTON
St George-Illawarra are close to securing a front-rower they desperately need.
Cronulla Sharks cult hero Tom Hazleton is set to knock back the Newcastle Knights and the Dolphins to sign with the Dragons.
He is a close friend of Daniel Atkinson, another Sharks star who is headed to St George-Illawarra next season.
Hazleton is a workhorse middle forward, who, at 26, is yet to peak. He hails from Goulburn and was recommended to the Sharks by club legend Gavin Miller.
The Sharks were desperate to keep him but can’t match offers from rival clubs.
The Dragons are desperate for more front-row firepower having lost Francis Molo and missed out on a number of props who were on the open market – Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Terrell May and Addin Fonua Blake.
SON OF OFFIAH GETS HIS FOOTBALL SPURS
Phoenix Offiah, the 15-year-old son of legendary rugby league winger Martin Offiah, has been signed by Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspurs.
Offiah was a try scoring machine in English rugby league and at the Roosters and Dragons, one of the fastest wingers to ever play the game.
Phoenix is rated as one of the most exciting Premier League prospects in England.
The family obviously has a great sporting bloodline. Phoenix’s older brother Tyler plays for Bath rugby union.
MAFS GAFFE GETS BRIDE OFFSIDE
The man known as the “Art Dealer” – South Sydney Rabbitohs tragic and former Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i adviser Steve Nasteski – has created a storm on TV reality show MAFS. Nasteski is the cousin of groom Tony, who married Morena. He’s caused massive controversy by saying the bride was too old.
BROWN’S MANAGER RUNS A BLOCK PLAY
It doesn’t always pay to write the truth in this business of sports journalism.
Not when you’re dealing with a certain player manager.
Last year I wrote how agents Chris Orr and Nash Dawson had a physical exchange outside a Port Macquarie pub. It was obviously a bad look.
It was newsworthy and a legitimate snippet for this column.
Other journos wouldn’t touch it because they rely on Orr for stories and leaks.
For several weeks I have been trying to track down Orr in regards to his client, Eels star Dylan Brown. I want to challenge him on asking Parramatta for even more money – on top of Brown’s $900,000 contract – to drop his get-out clause.
It turns out Orr has blocked your columnist’s phone number. The crime … reporting on the Port Macquarie altercation. We shall move on.
Thankfully Parramatta is finally showing some management strength on this occasion. They will not be paying Brown an extra cent.
LIVING IT UP AT ALLEGIANT
These are the corporate suites that cost north of $1 million at last year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Now they are available to rugby league fans.
The Wynn suite at Allegiant Stadium is as plush and luxurious as anywhere in the world.
On game day they’re full of billionaires and celebrities.
Last year the NRL used the facility for their corporate guests.
This year it’s for the fans.
Front-row booths are selling for around $8000. They hold 10 people.
Standing room tickets go for around $150.
If you’ve got that sort of coin, email hospitality@nrl.com.au.
THE BETTER HALF WITH KAYLIE STUART – WIFE OF RAIDERS COACH RICKY
Where did you guys first meet and how did he propose?
I met some girlfriends for lunch at the ACT Leagues Club — I ordered a drink at the bar and locked eyes with a guy on the other side! Ironically that club was demolished six years ago and Raiders headquarters was built on that site. He proposed at the iconic Canberra Hyatt Hotel over dinner a few years later.
What present did you buy for his last birthday? And what did he buy you?
He did very well and bought me a Scotty Cameron putter for my golf! He likes a good knife so I got him the old-fashioned Wiltshire Staysharp — and he loves it!
What would Ricky be suited to if he wasn’t an NRL coach?
I’m sure he was born to do what he’s doing — in our entire 28 years of marriage I’ve never heard him sleep talk about anything other than football! And he does it a lot!
Does he bring his intensity home. Like, do you catch him shouting at the dishwasher to “finish strong”.
Not so much at the dishwasher — I do have a few broken dining chairs though! (laughing)
OK, what’s his mood like after a loss/bad day at work?
You’ve seen the press conferences!
Is it true you beat him at golf?
I hate to gloat — but yes, mostly! My aim is to get my handicap lower than his. I think I’m on track.
OK, what’s his weirdest superstition?
Oh it has to be the haircut before every game! Really? He hasn’t got that much — let it grow!
What chores does he do around the house? Like, can he cook?
He does cook a very mean steak — even the players will agree with me on this one. He’s pretty good at seafood as well. When it comes to chores, he reckons he’s got two very capable sons!
And finally, what’s his nicest attribute?
He’s a loyal bugger, and he cares a lot! His family means the world to him — but a very close second are his players and his mates. And he’s got a lot of very good mates. I’ve told him I’ll never throw him a surprise party because I don’t think I’d find a venue big enough.
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