‘Taken its toll’: Kerrod Walters hits back at brother’s axing as Broncos coach

When Kevin Walters’ twin Kerrod Walters got a text from his son saying ‘Kevvie’s been sacked’, he was bewildered. Here’s why, writes CRASH CRADDOCK.

Kerrod Walters has expressed his shock at the axing of twin brother Kevin as Broncos coach a year after making the grand final.

“I know they had a disappointing year, but c’mon,’’ said former Test hooker Kerrod of his brother’s exit with a year to run on his contract.

“Surely after that grand final (against Penrith last year) he deserved the right to have another year. I was speaking to Kevin a while back and he said because of injury he had his best team on the field for only five games this season.

“I know a lot of clubs have injuries, but five games out of 24 is not a lot.’’

Broncos great Kerrod spoke to this masthead from Bali where he is on a family holiday and was shocked to receive the news on Thursday night that Kevin’s Broncos coaching tenure had come to an end.

From left: Steve, Kerrod and Kevin Walters.

“My son texted me and said, ‘Kevvie has been sacked’’. And I said, ‘What?’

“The board have sacked three coaches in seven years and one of them is Wayne Bennett.

“I was really surprised he did not get to see out next year after getting to the grand final last year. He deserved that opportunity. The thing I don’t get (is) if there was a Bennett or a Craig Bellamy or an Ivan Cleary to take the reins, then that’s different. But there’s not.’’

Michael Maguire, current NSW coach and formerly of Souths and the Wests-Tigers, is tipped to take over the reins while newly appointed assistant coaches Ben Te’o and Trent Barrett likely to keep their positions.

Kerrod said while Kevin handled his exit well, the stresses of the high pressure role had taken a toll on him.

“I think he is handling it very well. I was surprised. He was pretty stressed about the whole year.

“It has taken its toll on him but he will walk away knowing he has done the best job he could so that is it.

“I think Kev will take time away from the game now and get away and relax because it has been a pretty stressful four years.

“This year was back to what it was in 2022, a team full of talent not willing to pay the price. The Penrith and the Storm do what they need to do to win.

“They pay the price every week. The Broncos team have enormous ability but they need to learn to pay the price week in week out.’’