Broncos news: Players weigh in on feud between Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin

Senior players have had enough of the simmering feud between football boss Ben Ikin and coach Kevin Walters with Corey Oates leading the call for a return to ‘common ground’.

Corey Oates (C) has urged Ben Ikin (L) and Kevin Walters (R) to find common ground.

Veteran Broncos winger Corey Oates has backed coach Kevin Walters and football boss Ben Ikin, urging the pair to find common ground in a bid to break Brisbane’s 16-year premiership drought.

As revealed by News Corp, Broncos bosses have held urgent talks with Walters and Ikin to scupper any potential for a damaging rift and ensure the duo are “on the same page” for Brisbane’s finals revenge mission in 2023.

Ikin’s return to Red Hill midway through 2021 was hailed as a game-changing appointment for the club as the Broncos ramped up plans to claim their first premiership since 2006.

But the head of football has felt increasingly marginalised this season following a communication breakdown with Walters, his halves partner in Brisbane’s 2000 NRL premiership win.

Corey Oates (C) has urged Ben Ikin (L) and Kevin Walters (R) to find common ground.

At the core of the issue is Walters’ desire to control the football department as head coach – and how much input Ikin is keen to have in the running of Brisbane’s NRL program.

Oates, one of Brisbane’s most senior players, works with both men daily at Red Hill and was stunned by reports of professional tensions, confident Ikin and Walters are determined to improve the Broncos’ football program.

“As long as they know they are doing a good job and we have their backs, nothing else matters,” Oates said.

“I don’t know where it has come from to be honest.

“I think ‘Kevvie’ is doing a great job and ‘Ikey’ is also doing a great job.

“The club is heading in the right direction and that’s what we all need to do for next season, look forward and let everyone do their jobs.

“The season finish wasn’t great but there were a lot of positives and we have to be happy with that.

“Personally, I don’t know where this is coming from, but I am happy with how things are going (between Ikin and Walters).”

Steve Walters, brother of coach Kevin Walters resigned his role as football manager. Picture: David Clark

The coach’s brother, Steve Walters, resigned last week as football manager and his departure is expected to give Ikin more responsibility and see him work closer with Kevin Walters.

Walters has been accused of freezing Ikin out of major football decisions – the Broncos coach insists he is open to feedback from his head of football – and Oates lauded the ability of both men to lead Brisbane’s finals fightback.

“Ikin is massive for us, he is so smart,” Oates said.

“He is one of the smartest minds in footy for a long time.

“His show on Fox Sports (NRL 360) was one of the most watched shows in rugby league and he is doing a great job at the Broncos.

“He and Simon Scanlan (Broncos Academy and recruitment chief) are doing a great job behind the scenes and ‘Kevvie’ is now starting to show he is a good coach.

“He has his own way of doing things and that’s what you need to do, you need to find yourself as a coach and Kevvie has done that.”

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis, one of Walters’ strongest allies, hit out at suggestions Ikin should have more control, saying the head-of-football position in today’s NRL industry is overrated.

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis is a staunch supporter of Kevin Walters. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“The CEOs don’t get sacked – the coach does (if an NRL club fails to get results),” Tallis fired on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin show.

“All these guys … what are they called, football managers or directors of football, it’s a made-up title.

“It’s absolutely made up.

“Basically, the football manager should be a lackey for the head coach unless you are Phil Gould (Bulldogs football boss).

“These guys (other NRL football chiefs) all think they are Phil Gould.

“Let me tell you, Phil Gould’s role (at Canterbury) was made for Phil Gould, there aren’t too many people like him who can go to an organisation and be the boss.

“Ben Ikin went for the CEO’s role and he missed it _ that job is the boss.

“The role for Benny, if I’m Benny Ikin, is, ‘Kevvie what do you need me to do? Hey mate, do you need anything else?’

“That should be it, that should be his job description.

“At the end of the day, it’s the coach who gets moved on (if he fails to get results).”

Meanwhile, Oates – named Brisbane’s players’ player at the club’s awards night on Tuesday – has signed only a one-year extension and admits he would have preferred a longer-term deal after a superb 2022 campaign.

But the rejuvenated Queensland Origin winger, who becomes a free agent in November, is backing himself to secure a better deal next season.

“You always like a longer deal, but the one year is what it is and we will go from there,” Oates said.

“I have done two or three one-year deals in the past and they have never gone against me. I just wanted to get the deal done and I can now focus on football next season.

“I have backed myself a few times now, so why not keep doing it?

“It seems to keep working for me, so I will back myself and see what I can do.”