Broncos could lose ‘shattered’ club icon in wake of Walters’ sacking

The shock sacking of Kevin Walters has left a key Brisbane Broncos figure shattered and considering his future at the club.

Allan Langer’s future at the Broncos is up in the air. Photo: Steve Pohlner

The future of Brisbane Broncos icon Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer is up in the air following the shock sacking of coach Kevin Walters.

Walters was axed last week, with the Broncos claiming Walters and the club had parted ways by mutual agreement.

However, reports show Walters effectively had his contract torn up.

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It was a shocking way for the club’s nightmare 2024 season to finish after a year when they failed to make the finals — just 12 months after they went agonisingly close to beating Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.

The 56-year-old had two years left on his contract, that had been extended earlier this year to run to the end of 2026.

Walters’ sacking reportedly has another Broncos legend weighing up his future at Red Hill.

The Courier Mail reports Langer, who played in four Brisbane premierships alongside Walters in the 1990s, is considering whether he returns to his role as Broncos trainer for season 2025.

Broncos legends Allan Langer and Kevin Walters.

Langer is considering his future after Walters’ sacking. Photo: Peter Wallis

Langer, 58, is believed to be “shattered” by his close friend’s sacking and will take time on a family holiday to review his future.

Langer has been a permanent fixture at the Broncos for many years — seen barking instructions in backplay — a role he has also done for the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin.

Walters has previously said of Langer: “He is a great ally to have and is a real Broncos man, which makes it even more special.

“We will be carrying Alf out in a box.”

Alfie Langer in a yellow trainer’s jersey has become one of the most iconic sights of rugby league. (Picture: Zak Simmonds

The Broncos appear all but certain to hire Michael Maguire as Walters’ replacement after the NSWRL agreed to release Maguire from the final year of his deal as NSW’s State of Origin coach.

Maguire steered the Blues to a famous series win as NSW won a decider in Queensland for just the third time in Origin history.

But despite being contracted with NSW in 2025, it seems the lure of coaching the Broncos and a return to clubland was too good to refuse for Maguire.

The Broncos are close to announcing a multi-year deal with Maguire after successful negotiations.

It’s unlikely Langer, a Maroons legend, would want to work under a coach who ripped the hearts out of Queenslanders by masterminding a rare NSW Game 3 win in enemy territory.

The Broncos had announced a full review into the club’s football department operations and the findings were worse than the club could have predicted.

The feedback from the review was damning for Walters — the opinions of anonymous Broncos players were particularly alarming.

The standards and leadership within the football department were questioned, while Walters reportedly received criticism for his communication style, inconsistent messaging and lack of organisation.

Langer is Broncos royalty. Picture: NRL Photos

Adam Reynolds was surprised by Walters’ departure. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Veteran Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds, who said he wasn’t consulted on Walters’ sacking, said the players need to take more responsibility for their disappointing season.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get to the heights that we reached the year before, but that’s not Kevin’s fault. That’s also on us players,” he said.

“As a group we need to have a hard look at ourselves and be honest that we weren’t good enough.

“We have to take ownership, 100 per cent. We’re out there playing the game, not the coach. If we’re not getting results, that’s got to be an onus on the players as well.

“I’m sure whoever comes in will put the onus on us to make sure we get the job done.

“I just feel for Kevvie because he put a lot of great, hard work into the club. I’ve never seen anyone care about the Broncos as much as Kev does. The passion that he shows is pretty special and something that I’ll always try and live up to.

“No doubt a lot of us are going to have a look in the mirror, see how we can get better.”

Originally published as Broncos could lose ‘shattered’ club icon in wake of Walters’ sacking