Benny blesses Kevvie

HOPE HE WINS COMP

WAYNE Bennett says he doesn’t want to see Kevin Walters fail at Brisbane and hopes his long-time apprentice is the coach to smash the Broncos’ 17-year premiership drought.

Bennett and Walters will be part of another historic moment for Queensland rugby league when the Dolphins and Broncos square off in Friday night’s Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

Five years ago, Bennett was sacked as Broncos coach in pursuit of another title, going agonisingly close to delivering Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006 with their heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys in the 2015 grand final.

Walters was Bennett’s assistant coach in the extra-time defeat to North Queensland and is now in his third season in charge of a Broncos club that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2019.

Walters believes he has the roster to snap the longest title drought in Brisbane’s 35-year history and Bennett is backing the “Kev-olution” to deliver a seventh flag to Red Hill.

Bennett has won all six premierships for Brisbane. He wants Walters to stand beside him as a Broncos title winner.

“I know what it would mean for Kevvie to lift that premiership for the Broncos,” Bennett said ahead of the inaugural Broncos-Dolphins showdown.

“It’s a huge challenge in coaching to try and be a premiership coach.

“If it’s meant to be for the Broncos (winning again), then I want Kevvie to be the bloke who is doing it.

“I only wish Kevin well and I will always want him to do well as a coach.

“He won a State of Origin series as coach (of Queensland) and that is quite a feat I can tell you.

“I know what the Broncos means to him, he had a dream to coach the club, and I don’t want to see him fail.”

Since succeeding Anthony Seibold in 2020, Walters has won 23 of 51 games for a 45 per cent success rate.

Wooden spooners three years ago during Seibold’s disastrous reign, Walters has edged the Broncos back to credibility, lifting the club from 14th in his rookie season of NRL coaching to ninth last year, one win shy of the finals.

Now Walters has taken the Broncos to the top of the league after three rounds, an unbeaten streak that will see the off-contract club legend rewarded with a two-year extension by Brisbane bosses.

While flattered by Bennett’s praise, Walters is wary of a Dolphins ambush.

“I haven’t coached 900 games like Wayne has,” Walters said. “We are still good friends, we have known each other nearly 40 years.

“I was very fortunate to be coached by him (as a player) and then work with him.

“Wayne will have Redcliffe ready.

“Wayne will be preparing his side to beat us and I am preparing our side to beat his.”