Lockyer in the doghouse with Walters and Bennett
BRONCOS legend Darren Lockyer admits the sacking of Wayne Bennett has strained relations with the master coach and his former captain Kevin Walters.
Lockyer revealed the friendship of three of Brisbane’s most iconic figures has been a casualty of Bennett’s exit last season. Lockyer was at the epicentre of the most controversial sacking in Broncos history as a member of the Brisbane board which agreed to terminate Bennett.
The former Broncos skipper was also part of the three-man subcommittee that chose Anthony Seibold as Bennett’s successor, in turn snubbing candidate hopeful Walters.
Walters and Lockyer won three premierships together and the Queensland coach is understood to be filthy at his former Broncos teammate for not backing him during the job interview process.
Brisbane’s most-capped player yesterday opened up about the saga.
Asked if Bennett’s sacking and Walters’ snubbing had left some collateral damage, Lockyer was unequivocal. “Yes, 100 per cent,” he said. “There is strained relationships with both individuals.
“Wayne was my coach for 14 years and I will never forget what he did for me, he turned me into the person that I am today, so I will always be grateful for that.
“With Kevvie ... we shared a lot of success on the field and we had a lot of good times off the field.
“Both those guys are disappointed with the result.”
Lockyer tried to reach out to Bennett on January 1 for his 69th birthday but says the response was not warm.