Icons back Kevvie
Webcke says Walters ideal fit for Broncos
FORMER Brisbane stars have called for Kevin Walters to be named Wayne Bennett’s successor, declaring the Queensland Origin great can bring the glory days back to the Broncos.
As Brisbane hierarchy prepare to deliver one of the most important decisions in the club’s 30-year history, frontrow great Shane Webcke says Walters is the coach to lead the Broncos in the post-Bennett era.
Brisbane’s board are scheduled to meet this Tuesday, when it is expected club powerbrokers will rubberstamp the successor to the departing Bennett for the 2020 season.
The interview process for one of the toughest jobs in Australian sport was completed yesterday, with Walters the final candidate quizzed by a three-man panel comprising CEO Paul White, chairman Karl Morris and board member Darren Lockyer.
Souths’ Anthony Seibold, former Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and Broncos assistant Jason Demetriou are also in the mix, but Webcke believes Walters is the man to engineer Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.
“It’s Kevvie’s time,” said former Broncos, Test and Origin enforcer Webcke.
“I wasn’t a fan of the club letting Wayne Bennett go … but if they are going to replace him, I can’t think of anyone better than Kevin Walters to coach the Broncos.
“He has won premierships as a player, he embodies the culture of the Broncos and that’s why I believe he is up to the task.”
Walters is contracted to the Maroons until the end of 2020, but the Queensland Rugby League will not stand in the way of the 51-year-old if he clinches the Broncos post.
Walters’ brother, former Brisbane hooker Kerrod, claims the Broncos have a cultural problem that can only be fixed by a coach with an intimate understanding of the club’s DNA.
“Putting my family ties aside, the truth is the Broncos have lost their winning culture and they need a coach who can bring that winning feel back,” Kerrod said.
“Kevin is a winner. He won six premierships and that’s no fluke.
“The Broncos are long overdue for a premiership and Kevvie is the man to deliver that next title.”
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost