Kevin Walters denies that the Broncos are suffering from a grand final hangover ahead of rematch with North Queensland

FORMER Brisbane assistant and current Queensland coach Kevin Walters says the Broncos are not still working through their grand final hangover.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 04: Ben Hunt of the Broncos reacts after defeat during the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

KEVIN Walters has denied suggestions the Broncos will carry extra emotion into Friday’s clash with the Cowboys, claiming they are free of a grand-final hangover.

The on-hiatus Brisbane assistant coach does not believe his former side will be chasing revenge at Suncorp this week, after last year’s heartbreaking one-point loss to North Queensland in the grand final.

While he undergoes his first year as Maroons coach, Walters has stepped back from his duties with the Broncos but is still aware of what is going on at Red Hill.

And though Brisbane fans are hoping to walk away with the bragging rights after the highly anticipated showdown on Good Friday, Walters said the players moved on from the disappointment of 2015 a long time ago.

“Everyone drew a line in the sand earlier this year,” he said.

“We were all extremely disappointed with the result last year. But this is the new season, it has new challenges.

“It’s important to let go of what’s happened in the past and concentrate on what’s happening in the future. That’s been the case with the Broncos boys, that’s for sure.

“This is the season 2016 and the evidence this year is they certainly have moved on.”

Walters admitted that while last year’s sudden loss will never truly be forgotten in the grand scheme of things, the Broncos did not need the memories of the loss to fuel their fire.

He said any Queensland derby, whether it involved the Cowboys or Titans, was a big event for the Broncos.

Have the Broncos recovered from their grand final defeat?

“Regardless of what happened last year, it’s always a big occasion,” he said.

“It’s the battle of the state. They’re always games the players look forward to playing in.

“I know you only get the same amount of competition points but it’s nice to put in a good performance when you’re playing the other Queensland teams.”

Walters will also use the grand final rematch for his own gain, admitting it is the perfect opportunity to assess any potential bolters for a Maroons call-up.

While he did not want to name names, Walters said he was watching every Queenslander’s progression in the lead-up to the first game in June.

Originally published as Kevin Walters denies that the Broncos are suffering from a grand final hangover ahead of rematch with North Queensland