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Broncos coach Kevin Walters’ worst nightmare is unfolding around him

The absolute last thing Kevin Walters needed has left the under fire Broncos coach potentially a step closer to the axe after ugly reports.

Kevin Walters is under the pump.
Kevin Walters is under the pump.

Under fire Broncos coach Kevin Walters didn’t need an injury crisis on top of the overwhelming shambles the proud Brisbane club has become.

With the club at its lowest ever ebb, it was revealed on Tuesday night Walters has been further hit with news four players suffered injuries during a training session on Sunday.

The injuries have prompted another series of questions about the club’s football department.

Karmichael Hunt, Ben Te’o, Albert Kelly and Brendan Piakura all went down with injuries in the same training session, with a report suggesting the development doesn’t reflect well on the club’s new high performance manager Dave Ballard.

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“Dave Ballard is the new strength and conditioning coach at the Brisbane Broncos and on Sunday a brutal training session turned bad,” Channel 9’s Ben Dobbin said.

“Karmichael Hunt tore his calf, Ben Te’o tore his calf and Albert Kelly tore his hamstring, and Brendan Piakura damaged his ankle.

“Three of these four players would have been in the side for Sunday when they take on the Sharks.

Karmichael Hunt is out again.
Karmichael Hunt is out again.

“What the side looks like come Sunday, we’ll know a bit more as lockdown continues but not great news for the Broncos. Four injured last Sunday.”

It is the last thing Walters needed after a tumultuous week with reports emerging his position is already under threat and sections of the playing group are revolting against him.

Walters earlier this week performed a dramatic backflip on the futures of unwanted stars Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jr.

The turbulent roster management forced on Walters has plunged the Broncos into free-fall this year with some of the club’s biggest names already told they are not wanted next year.

Pangai Jr and Jamayne Isaako were earlier this year spotted speaking to Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire, while Lodge was previously linked with Newcastle. Under fire playmaker Anthony Milford is also looking for a new club.

However, a bombshell report last week claimed there are figures in the Broncos’ playing group that have lost faith in Walters with suggestions the new coach is already facing a player revolt.

Lodge last week went public with accusations Walters had confused players with some of his communication.

It follows a suggestion from The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel that Walters will have as little as the first six rounds of the 2022 season to prove he deserves to have his contract extended beyond the end of 2022.

Walters’ public U-turn on Pangai Jr and Lodge is speculated to be the result of new head of football Ben Ikin’s arrival.

Coach Kevin Walters is holding the Broncos together.
Coach Kevin Walters is holding the Broncos together.

The bleak situation facing Walters was brutally summed up on Wednesday morning by The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie.

“They’re lacking everything. They’re an absolute shambles,” he told Sky Sports Radio.

“They don’t have anything going for them at the moment. No player wants to go there. Their roster is a mess. Players don’t know if they’re coming or going. Tevita Pangai was told to go then there were suggestions he was staying. Now I’m told Wests Tigers may sign him effective immediately. Matt Lodge has been coming and going. The halves have been coming and going. It’s just a revolving door at the moment.

“Kev has to put his hand up for his portion of responsibility.”

Channel 9’s Danny Weidler on Tuesday also said: “If you listen to well placed people in Brisbane, they reckon Kevvy is in all sorts and he’s under pressure again. He’s under huge pressure, huge pressure.”

The Broncos team announcement on Tuesday also saw Brodie Croft returning from injury and Tyson Gamble switching to five-eighth.

Dumped wingers Jamayne Isaako and Corey Oates have also been recalled with Selwyn Cobbo axed and Xavier Coates being rested following State of Origin Game 2.

Read related topics:Brisbane

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-coach-kevin-walters-worst-nightmare-is-unfolding-around-him/news-story/31a6dccb3c811b16800f071cd36bb814