NRL 2023: Kevin Walters clears air over rift with departing Head of Football Ben Ikin

After Ben Ikin’s surprise exit as Brisbane’s head of football this week, rumours have been swirling around the rugby league world about a rift with coach Kevin Walters.

Kevin Walters has opened up on his relationship with Ben Ikin. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Kevin Walters has addressed speculation of a rift with departed football boss Ben Ikin as the Brisbane coach vowed to continue his relentless quest to break the Broncos’ 17-year premiership drought.

Ikin has made a surprise exit from the Broncos, submitting his resignation after just 23 months in the head-of-football role to become chief executive of the Queensland Rugby League.

Broncos bosses last year moved to improve the lines of communication between Walters and Ikin, who felt marginalised in his role and was seeking greater input in the running of Brisbane’s football program.

There is a view Ikin felt his position at the Broncos was untenable, prompting him to seek a fresh start by applying for the QRL CEO’s post, which he officially clinched on Monday.

Kevin Walters has opened up on his relationship with Ben Ikin. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Ikin formally hit the Red Hill exits on Sunday, but on the eve of Brisbane’s clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park on Thursday night, Walters hit out at suggestions he did not see eye-to-eye with his football boss.

“Me and Ben are fine,” Walters said.

“There’s nothing to talk about with Ben

“I’ve got no problems with Benny and Benny has no problems with us.

“I don’t have anything more to say about that.”

Asked if Ikin’s mid-season departure was potentially destabilising for the ladder leaders (8-2), Walters said: “Not really.

“Ben has been in great communication with us around the job. So we have been waiting for this moment to happen (Ikin joining the QRL) the last couple of weeks and Ben has been great.

“We will get through this week and then we will have a look at the position and see who’s available.”

Ikin will link with the QRL in a high-profile role. Picture: Getty

Ikin has played a key role in the resurgence of the Broncos.

Appointed in June 2021, Ikin’s first signing was Penrith premiership-winner Kurt Capewell and the Broncos football chief vowed to give the coach every assistance to help Brisbane win their first title since 2006 under Walters, who praised his contribution.

“Ben has been a part of what is our group moving forward,” Walters said.

“There is no one person in the whole group, myself and the players included, that are more important or critical.

“We wish Ben all the best at the QRL. He will do a great job in there, but we need to move forward now.

“Ben is not here, we are moving forward and it starts against the Storm. Ben has walked into a great job at the QRL, maybe on the back of some of the work he has done here, we’ve helped him get a job at the QRL.

“I’d like to think the Broncos have done a great job with Ben in developing him as a football manager into the position he can do now at the QRL.”

Walters is preparing for his 300th game at the Broncos – as a player and coach. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The Storm clash marks a special occasion for Walters. It will be his 300th game for the Broncos as a player and coach – he won five premierships in a stellar 241-game career – and Walters said he will not be satisfied until he brings the NRL trophy back to Red Hill.

“Yeah I did think I would make that conversion (from playing to coaching),” said Walters, who coaches his 59th NRL game this week.

“That was the dream (to coach the Broncos) and you have to keep onto your dreams.

“There were some times there where it was looking very unlikely, but I am proud of my efforts and the support of family around me to get me back here at the Broncos, coaching here as the head coach.

“I am thrilled to get 300, but I feel my best moments at the Broncos are in front of me.

“My playing career was great here but they are just memories now. I want to make some more good memories from a coaching point of view and tomorrow will be a good memory when we go down to play the Storm.

“I have been down there a couple of times when I have been head coach and we’ve had our arses kicked, but this is a different Broncos team now.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Kevin Walters clears air over rift with departing Head of Football Ben Ikin