Ben and Shane Walker to interview for Titans head coaching role

BEN and Shane Walker will be interviewed by Gold Coast hierarchy on Thursday as rugby league’s most radical coaches move a step closer to the Titans job.

Jets coaches Shane and Ben Walker will interview for the Titans coaching job. Pic Darren England.

BEN and Shane Walker will be interviewed by Gold Coast hierarchy on Thursday as rugby league’s most radical coaches move a step closer to the Titans job.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Titans have drawn up a shortlist of six that includes the Walkers, who have received the backing of NRL Immortal Andrew Johns in their quest to coach in the NRL.

Johns has contacted the Walkers pledging his support, claiming their unique tactical methods would breathe life into an NRL world he believes is dominated by “robotic” coaching structures.

The Walkers, who played 285 NRL games between them, have had success in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup, breaking Ipswich’s 33-year title drought two seasons ago.

The Walkers declined to comment but it is understood the duo will be formally interviewed by a Titans committee comprising CEO Graham Annesley, board member Geoff Jones, Anthony Laffranchi and Maroons legend Gorden Tallis.

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Jets coaches Shane and Ben Walker will interview for the Titans coaching job. Pic Darren England.

Tallis has links with the Walkers, with the triumvirate having been teammates at the Broncos for two years between 1999-2000, the latter season featuring Brisbane’s fifth premiership win.

The Titans had Queensland coach Kevin Walters and recently sacked Souths mentor Michael Maguire on their radar. But Walters is set to sign an extended deal with the Maroons, while Maguire is being heavily linked to Warrington following the exit of Tony Smith.

That has opened the door for the Walkers, with Walters praising their desire to take on one of the toughest jobs in the NRL — rebuilding the Titans.

“They won a premiership with the Jets two years ago,” the Maroons coach said.

“Their methods are certainly different to what the normal standards are and a club has to be prepared to take all that on board.

“I haven’t been coached by them, but there is a job going and they’ve publicly stated they want the position, so good luck to them.

“They are having a crack.”

The Walkers’ freewheeling style has polarised opinion but it has produced results.

In seven seasons at Ipswich, the Walkers have made five finals campaigns and delivered the Jets’ maiden title in 2015 with one of the lowest budgets in the Intrust Super Cup.

It is understood other contenders to succeed Neil Henry include Geoff Toovey, Adrian Lam, Todd Payten, Craig Fitzgibbon and Laurie Daley, who was sacked as NSW Origin coach last month.

Laurie Daley calls time during a New South Wales Blues training session.

Speaking last week following his appointment on the Titans panel, Tallis scoffed at suggestions the Walkers’ style would be too risky for the NRL.

“I’d say give them a crack,” he told Triple M radio. “You don’t know if they are ready to coach NRL until they coach some games (in the NRL).

“They were training twice a week with guys (at Ipswich) and they play a great brand of football.

“They would throw a spanner in the works, not everyone would work them out ... they would certainly break down a lot of the systems that clubs are defending against.”

Ben Walker told The Courier-Mail last week: “We don’t see our style as risky or a boom-or-bust style of playing.

“All it does is allow players to use their skills, ability and flair, which is what got most of them to an elite level in the first place.

“This hasn’t happened overnight. It is a style we have developed over a long period of time. It would work in the NRL.”

TOP CONTENDERS

MICHAEL MAGUIRE: A standout candidate but is being heavily linked to Warrington and may be leaning towards another stint in England.

GEOFF TOOVEY: The former Manly coach has applied for the job. Will warrant consideration after taking the Sea Eagles to the 2013 grand final.

LAURIE DALEY: Has pedigree as a NSW Origin legend but has family links in Sydney and could be reluctant to move.

Coach Michael Maguire is one of the contenders to take over at the Titans. Picture. Phil Hillyard

TODD PAYTEN: The 38-year-old is rated one of the game’s best emerging coaches. Has impressed as an assistant to Paul Green at the Cowboys.

ADRIAN LAM: Former Maroons halfback and now Mal Meninga’s Test assistant. Is keen to launch his NRL coaching career.

BEN AND SHANE WALKER: Considered a risk by some but the co-coaches have unwavering faith in the methods that won Ipswich a title two years ago.

Originally published as Ben and Shane Walker to interview for Titans head coaching role