ARL Commission sound out Kevin Walters for Perth Bears role

After interviewing Brad Arthur and Mal Meninga, the NRL have now approached former Brisbane coach Kevin Walters as they look to appoint the first head coach of the Perth Bears.

Former Broncos grand-final mentor Kevin Walters has been sounded out for the Perth post as the battle to coach the Bears intensifies.

This masthead can reveal the NRL has made a secret approach to Walters, who has rocketed into the frame to take charge of the Perth Bears for their entry to the big league in 2027.

Walters has been added to a four-man shortlist that includes former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, Australia mentor Mal Meninga and Souths legend Sam Burgess.

Well-placed sources say Arthur remains the frontrunner for the post after he and Meninga were formally interviewed by the NRL – which owns the Perth licence – on Thursday.

Kevin Walters wants to coach again. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But Walters is now a legitimate contender.

The existing 17 clubs were recently told at an expansion meeting that the NRL had a candidate for the Bears job lined up and that coach was said to have recent coaching experience.

That brings Walters into the picture given his four-season stint with Brisbane at the NRL coaching coalface.

The 57-year-old went within four minutes of winning a premiership after steering Brisbane to the 2023 grand final, only for the Broncos to suffer a heartbreaking 26-24 loss to the Panthers.

The Broncos legend then parted ways with the club last September after injury-ravaged Brisbane crashed out of finals contention last season with a 12th-placed free fall.

Walters has been back in commentary. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Walters is currently working as a commentator for Fox Sports but has not given up hope of an NRL coaching comeback.

Just a fortnight ago, the Queensland Origin great was linked to the Titans as a possible successor to Des Hasler, but the Bears opportunity is real after fielding a formal approach.

The ARL Commission is expected to announce the Perth Bears’ foundation coach within the week after assessing the candidacy of Arthur, Meninga, Walters and Burgess.

Walters told Fox Sports last week he would not speculate on the Titans post out of respect to Hasler, but confirmed he is keen to coach in the NRL again.

“I think Des has got a job to do there and it’s a bit disrespectful to Des and the Titans,” Walters said.

“Do I want to coach again? Yes, I’ve said that openly lots of times, but when the time is right and the team is right.”

Walters won 50 of 99 games as Broncos coach and was the only mentor outside of Wayne Bennett to pilot the glamour club to a grand-final appearance.

‘Kevvie’ had also had success with the Queensland team, winning two Origin titles before standing down as Maroons coach to prepare for his return to Red Hill.

The NRL is keen for an experienced coach to head-up the code’s 18th team and Walters has the profile to hit the ground running with the Perth Bears.

Mal Meninga is also in the running. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

Meninga, meanwhile, is an NRL Immortal with an enormous standing in the game and says he is keen to test himself again after coaching Canberra from 1997-2001.

“I’ve always wanted to scratch that itch when it comes to getting back into coaching in clubland – and at the end of the day, I want to win,” Meninga told Fox Sports.

“I haven’t been out of the game. I’ve been with the Titans five years, I’m now with the Raiders, and I’ve been coaching rep teams for 20 years.

“I’ve never really been out of the game. I’m also working in commentary and having to give regular opinions about things.

“I’m right up to speed with today’s game, I’m not a dinosaur, I’m a contemporary, and I still work with the elite players.”

Originally published as ARL Commission sound out Kevin Walters for Perth Bears role