Kevin Walters fronts media as Broncos deny player revolt was reason for his dismissal

Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has rejected rumours that the club parted ways with Kevin Walters due to player unrest, as the former coach fought back tears while addressing the media.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters at the press conference after the Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels game at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: NRL Images

Broncos boss Dave Donaghy insists Brisbane players didn’t knife Kevin Walters as the club legend prepares to remain at Red Hill despite his dismissal as head coach.

An emotional Walters fought back tears on Friday morning when fronting media following the end of his four-year tenure as coach.

Despite being contracted until 2026, the Broncos and Walters claim they reached an agreement he would step down immediately after missing the finals for the third time in four seasons.

Walters, 56, will take up a yet-to-be determined ambassador position with the club.

The decision to part ways with Walters followed an independent review into Brisbane’s crash from beaten grand finalists last season to 12th this year.

Broncos CEO Donaghy said feedback from the players wasn’t the reason for Walters’ departure.

“I don’t believe that was the case,” he said.

“Everyone loves Kev. They love his personality and the passion he’s got for the organisation.

“In terms of the contents of the review, we’ll keep that in-house.

“Everyone in the organisation loves Kev and what he stands for.

“Through those discussions, both of us reached the point where there’s acceptance now’s the time to change.”

WATCH WALTERS’ EMOTIONAL ADDRESS TO BRONCOS FANS ABOVE

Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy (R) and former coach Kevin Walters address the media on Friday morning. Picture: Getty Images

Walters won five premierships as a player during a 241-game career with the Broncos and coached 99 NRL matches after taking over the role from Anthony Seibold following the 2020 wooden spoon season.

He led the club to finishes of 14th, ninth and runners’ up before this year’s failure to reach the finals, which thrust his future into the spotlight.

Donaghy said the situation had changed since he publicly backed Walters as coach three weeks ago.

“It was a week or two before the end of the season when I made those comments,” he said.

“At that point, that was my anticipation.

“It can be taxing and stressful being in any NRL or high performance environment.

“As we’ve had time to digest the season and look at plans moving forward, we’ve come to the acceptance it was time to part ways.”

Walters was emotional delivering a short statement at Brisbane’s headquarters and did not take questions.

“We have come to an agreement, the Broncos and Walters family, that my time as head coach has finished,” he said.

“My time here has been very joyful.

Kevin Walters has a moment during Broncos training at Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

“A lot of it has been good times. Everyone has dry moments where you learn and get better and that’s been the case the last four years.

“When I arrived here the club wasn’t in great shape and I feel myself and a lot of other good people have shaped the club.

“The proudest moment was last year’s grand final with my son (Billy) and family in attendance.

“This year was a tough year for everyone. It’s a great club and I’m sure they’ll be back challenging again before too long.

“Unfortunately my time has finished here from a head coaching point of view.”

As recently as Wednesday, Walters was plotting the upcoming pre-season and how he planned to take the Broncos back to the finals in 2025.

By 6pm on Thursday night his tenure was over, but Donaghy insisted Walters hadn’t been sacked.

“We reached a position where we agreed collectively that Kev’s time as head coach has come to an end,” he said.

“We can all understand the passion Kev has for this football club. We can see the toll it takes and significant pressure that exists with being head coach of the Broncos.

“We’ll be forever indebted to the contribution Kev’s made. I can hand on heart say he’s put a pulse back into the Broncos.

“Whilst he won’t continue as head coach, that connection will continue. He will remain as an ambassador of the club.

“I’m delighted that connection will continue.”

Originally published as Kevin Walters fronts media as Broncos deny player revolt was reason for his dismissal