Walker brothers inch closer to Titans job

Unorthodox coaching methods gain backing from greats of the game

RUGBY LEAGUE BEN and Shane Walker will be interviewed by Gold Coast hierarchy today as rugby league’s most radical coaches seek an NRL berth.

It can be revealed the Titans have drawn up a shortlist of six that includes the Walkers, who have received the backing of NRL Immortal Andrew Johns.

Johns has contacted the Walkers pledging his support, claiming their unique tactical methods would breathe life into an NRL world he believes is dominated by “robotic” coaching structures.

The Walkers declined to comment but it is understood the duo will be formally interviewed by a Titans committee comprising CEO Graham Annesley, board member Geoff Jones, Anthony Laffranchi and their former Broncos premiership teammate Gorden Tallis.

The Titans had Queensland coach Kevin Walters and Souths mentor Michael Maguire on their radar.

But Walters is set to sign an extended deal with the Maroons, while Maguire is being heavily linked to English club Warrington following the exit of Tony Smith.

That has opened the door for the Walkers, with Walters praising their desire to take on one of the toughest jobs in the NRL – rebuilding the Titans.

“Their methods are certainly different to what normal standards are and a club has to be prepared to take all that on board,” said Walters.

The Walkers’ freewheeling style – notably always trying short kick-offs and dropouts – has polarised opinion but it has produced results.

In seven seasons at Ipswich, the Walkers have made five finals campaigns and delivered the Jets’ maiden title in 2015 with one of the lowest budgets in the Intrust Super Cup.

It is understood other contenders to succeed Neil Henry include Geoff Toovey, Adrian Lam, Todd Payten, Craig Fitzgibbon and Laurie Daley.

Speaking last week, Tallis scoffed at suggestions the Walkers’ style would be too risky for the NRL.

“I’d say give them a crack,” he told Triple M radio.

“You don’t know if they are ready to coach NRL until they coach some games.

“They would certainly break down a lot of the systems clubs are defending against.”

Ben Walker told The Courier-Mail last week: “We don’t see our style as risky or a boom-or-bust style of playing.

“All it does is allow players to use their skills, ability and flair, which is what got most of them to an elite level in the first place. “It would work in the NRL.” The brothers have indicated they would be happy to sign a onme-year deal to realise their NRL dreams.

THEIR METHODS ARE CERTAINLY DIFFERENT TO WHAT NORMAL STANDARDS ARE AND A CLUB HAS TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE ALL THAT ON BOARD.