Truth behind Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin Bronocos rift revealed

A frosty live on-air debate erupted after the reason behind the ugly Brisbane Broncos rift was revealed following a horror week.

Ben Ikin and Kevin Walters

The reason behind the damning rift causing the Brisbane Broncos to tear apart at the seams has been revealed.

The reported drama between head of football Ben Ikin and coach Kevin Walters exploded after the club endured a tumultuous week.

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The Courier-Mail first reported the club has moved to hold peace talks to mend the fractured relationship.

The report details how broken the club’s football department was at times this year as the club fell apart spectacularly in the final rounds of the season, losing six of their last seven games.

The news set in motion a downward spiral for the Broncos and saw former club legend Gordon Tallis smack down Ikin’s standing within the club.

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

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

“These guys all think they are Phil Gould. Let me tell you, Phil Gould’s role 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. Picture: Supplied/NRL Imagery

Walters. Picture: Liam Kidston

Now the reason behind the ugly fallout has been revealed with Fox Sports’ James Hooper detailing how it all kicked off last year when Ikin was hired without Walter’s knowledge.

Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield wasn’t happy with Tallis’ remarks and it ignited a frosty live on-air debate between Rothfield and Hooper.

Rothfield: “I thought Gordie was way out of order, we worked here with Ben Ikin for a long period of time, he has a great football IQ, he was hired there to do a job, I think Kevvie needs help, I think Kevvie should concentrate on coaching the football side and let Ben Ikin do the strategic stuff.”

Hooper: “I don’t think Gordie was way out of order Buzz, what Gordie was doing was defending his mate.”

Rothfield: “I love Gordie Tallis, he’s outspoken, he’s entitled to his opinion, he knows what he’s talking about. I just think he overstepped here.”

Hooper: “I disagree. He was defending his mate and would defend Kevvie until the end of the earth.”

Rothfield: “Sometimes in this game you have to forget who your mates are.”

Hooper: “No, you stand up for your mates Phil, but that’s all right if you want to throw people under the bus.”

Rothfield: “Who am I throwing under the bus?”

Hooper: “Why would Gorden Tallis not defend Kevin Walters who he has gone into battle with, won three premierships with, why would he not stand up for his mate?”

Rothfield: “What you’ve got to do James, when you work in the media you’ve got to have a wider view outside your mates. You’ve got to look at what’s wrong with the Broncos and tell it as it is and whether Kevvie or Ben is in the wrong … You always look after your mates but you can’t let friendship cloud your opinion on things. That’s what I’m trying to say and I thought his spray was too heavy, calling Ben Ikin a lackey.”

"I think the reason behind the friction behind Kevy & Ikin ... is because they've not been clearly informed what the other's job is by the CEO"

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NRL 360 co-host and veteran journalist Paul Kent took aim at Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy for failing to establish the roles between Ikin and Walters.

“The general manager of football which is the role that Ikin has got is an increasing role in the game and will continue to become a bigger role in the game because the job is too big for just the head coach to run a football club,” Kent said.

“That’s why they have physios and trainers and strength and conditioning guys, it’s too big a job.

“There is a specialised role there that Ikin has taken on and he needs to be allowed to do his job.

“Kevvie Walters is still a very inexperienced coach and learning how to do his job, so he really does need help, Kevvie, and I think there has been an acknowledgment between the two in the past few weeks that they do need each other and they will begin working more closely with each other.”

Originally published as Truth behind Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin Bronocos rift revealed