Broncos lashed for overlooking Walters
RUGBY LEAGUE: Bronco legends have attacked the Brisbane hierarchy over the snubbing of Kevin Walters and say “heads should roll” if the club fails to win the premiership next season.
The Broncos are under siege, with NRL Hall of Fame member Gorden Tallis and former hooker Kerrod Walters lashing the club over Brisbane’s succession plan for Wayne Bennett.
South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold will be unveiled as Bennett’s successor within days, in the process scuppering Kevin Walters’ dream of taking charge of his beloved Broncos.
A shattered Walters has privately given up hope of coaching the Broncos and former skipper Tallis is mystified by the rejection of the 241-game Brisbane icon.
“Kevvie coaching the Broncos was a logical fit. I just don’t get the decision when he’s right there in front of them,” Tallis said.
“To me, it didn’t come down to coaching records. It must have come down to a personality clash.
“I just don’t know what Kevin Walters has to do. He’s coached Origin, won two series in the biggest pressure-cooker arena in the game, he’s made tough decisions like standing down players ... there’s no one that has won more for their club than Kevin Walters.
“The last time Kevin Walters was at the club full-time (as an assistant coach in 2015) was the last time the Broncos made a grand final ... he’s a winner.”
Kerrod Walters said club management, headed by chief executive Paul White, should come under the microscope if Seibold failed to break the club’s 13-year title drought.
“If they don’t win a title soon, more heads need to roll,” Walters said.
“To be honest, it was a waste of time for Kevvie to go to the interview. For the past six months we’ve been hearing the whispers that Seibold will get the job at the Broncos.
“When are the Broncos’ management going to be accountable for the club not winning a premiership since 2006?
“As a former player who was part of the club’s golden era, it’s unacceptable.”
White declined to comment yesterday but Brisbane put four candidates – Seibold, Walters, Michael Maguire and Jason Demetriou – through an interview process.
— Peter Badel and Rikki-Lee Arnold