NRL 2020: Kevin Walters opens up about Broncos coaching job
With Anthony Seibold’s exit papers all but signed, sentimental favourite to take over the Broncos, Kevin Walters, has received some heavyweight support.
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Broncos veteran Darius Boyd is hoping for some clarity over the club’s coaching situation but admits the onus was still on the playing group regardless of who is in charge.
It comes as Anthony Seibold’s future remains up in the air after being offered a million-dollar payout to leave the club immediately in the wake of family drama and the toll of a brutal cyber attack on the beleaguered coach.
Seibold was absent from Monday’s training session at Red Hill while he waits for a COVID test result, after spending the past 14 days in isolation following his Broncos bubble breach earlier this month.
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Boyd said the players expected Seibold to be back at the club this week but admitted it was not going to change their preparation for Friday’s clash with the Roosters.
“We’re expecting him to be back,” Boyd said.
“We’ve got a day off tomorrow so we’re expecting him to be back on Wednesday.
“The off-field dramas aren’t always ideal but at the end of the day, we’re paid well to do a job and that’s to play football and prepare well each week.
“Whether Seibs is here or Pete (Gentle), we can’t have any excuses. We need to go out and perform every weekend and prepare well.
“It would be ideal to get some clarity one way or another but at the end of the day that comes down to the head honchos at the club.
“They’ve got to decide what’s best for the club going forward.”
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Brisbane greats have called for club legend Kevin Walters to take over as head coach, with the Queensland Origin mentor even admitting on Monday that he would love to help his former club.
“I love the Broncos, I love everything about the club,” Walters said.
“I‘m hurting as much as any supporter is at the moment.
“If I can get back there and help them, I’d love to do that in some way.
“I’ve said that in the past as well. The club is dear to my heart.”
Boyd did not wish to speculate on a coaching replacement, given Seibold is still with the club, but admitted Walters had the credentials to be a head coach.
“We know what Kevvie can do,” he said.
The club is also aware of the emotional stress Seibold has had to endure in recent weeks and Boyd – a mental health advocate – said he had reached out to his head coach to offer his support.
“I sent him a text two weeks ago when he went out of the bubble to wish him well and to say I’m thinking of him and his family at this time,” he said.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Kevin Walters opens up about Broncos coaching job