‘Not up to scratch’: Broncos legends clash as Kevin Walters lands on his feet

Axed Broncos coach Kevin Walters has landed a new gig but his exit from Red Hill have divided some of the club’s greatest ever players.

Kevin Walters' sacking is still proving controversial. Photo: NRL Images

Brisbane Broncos legends Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke have reportedly clashed over the axing of fellow club great Kevin Walters as the axed coach announced his next gig.

Walters was shown the door after four years as Broncos coach, less than 12 months after leading the side to a grand final in a shock decision.

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Since replaced by former NSW, New Zealand and South Sydney premiership winning coach Michael Maguire, Walters has decided his future, returning to TV with Fox League for 2025.

Walters first started on Fox Sports in 2014 and will return to his old stomping ground after his coaching stint.

But while Walters has been forced to move on, debate is continuing to rage among the club’s Old Boys about seeing one of the club’s greatest being disposed of so dispassionately.

CODE Sports reported Broncos champions Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke butted heads over the controversial dumping.

While many believe Walters would be given some time to right the ship after missing the finals in 2024, he was sensationally axed in September.

It saw Webcke go into bat for the 241-game Broncos veteran who won five premierships for the club, while claiming a sixth for the Canberra in 1989, the club where he started his career and played 50 games between 1987 and 1989.

Walters has landed on his feet. Picture: NRL Images

Speaking at Toowoomba pub Fitzy’s, the pair headlined a sold-out long lunch.

There was reportedly some banter but the discussion heated up when Walters came up.

Webcke blasted Broncos bosses over the treatment of Walters, continuing his previous criticism of the decision.

But Lockyer, a long-time Broncos board member who was part of the committee that pulled the plug on Walters, also held his ground, leading to a heated clash between the pair.

Walters, Lockyer and Webcke won three premierships together and a guest told The Courier Mail that it was a “robust debate”.

“They agreed to disagree,” the guest said.

“Webcke was critical of the Broncos and the way the sacking of Kevvie went down.

“He basically said the fallout wasn’t good enough for a club of the Broncos’ standards.

“He was adamant it should have been handled differently.

“Lockyer was on the back foot a bit.

“Locky was of the opinion that they had made a board decision and he was only one of the board members. He agreed the way in which it was handled was not up to scratch, but he said ultimately there would be no different decision.

“They stayed around after having drinks. There was no angst between them but it’s fair to say neither of them took a backward step.

“It was an emotional subject.”

Webcke and Lockyer in happier times in 2006.

Neither man has changed their stance since the decision came down.

Webcke was among the first to blast the Broncos, arguing it was a sign the club had lost its way.

“When did it become our way to do things like this?,” he told SEN Radio in September.

“We went from being wooden spooners to seconds away from winning the grand final.

“None of us are happy with the season just gone, and particularly Kevin. But I think the smarter thing to do, and the right thing to do, would have been to let Kevvie coach next year.

“This year is the wake-up call that we needed. We’ve got a good, strong club again, a wonderful roster full of great players.

“The wake-up call will lead them to bigger and better things next year, and perhaps getting back to where we know they can be.”

He also criticised comments from the club that Walters was “stepping down” as “it can’t be anything else but spin”.

Lockyer has also previously spoken on Walters’ sacking, saying the decision came down performances at the end of the NRL season, but adding: “Kevvie is a great bloke and that’s what makes it so difficult”.

Walters, Lockyer and Webcke were all part of the Broncos’ 1998 premiership win.

Walters’ tenure at the Broncos has been difficult, having missed the finals three times in four seasons.

However, Walters took over the reigns of the club after the first wooden spoon season in the Broncos’ history.

Just three years later, the Broncos played in its first Grand Final since 2015 and were likely 20 minutes from hoisting the trophy — until Nathan Cleary got involved.

The heartbreaking 26-24 loss had many pundits tipping the Broncos to go one better in 2024.

At round 11, the Broncos were sitting pretty at fifth on the ladder with a 7-4 record.

But from there it was a shocking fall from grace as the side won just three of 13 matches to finish 12th on the NRL ladder.

After the 30-24 round 25 win over the Parramatta Eels, despite results needing to go their way to make the playoffs, Walters insisted: “We will make the finals”.

“There is no ‘if’,” he said at the time. “We will make the finals but we have got to play well next week against Redcliffe.”

The Broncos then lost 40-6 against the Dolphins in round 26 and 50-12 in round 27 against Melbourne.

Originally published as ‘Not up to scratch’: Broncos legends clash as Kevin Walters lands on his feet