Walters denies Broncos Ikin rift

Tribute to new QRL boss

Kevin Walters has addressed speculation of a rift with departed football boss Ben Ikin as the Brisbane coach vowed to continue his relentless quest to break the Broncos’ 17-year premiership drought.

Ikin has made a surprise exit from the Broncos, submitting his resignation after just 23 months in the head-of-football role to become chief executive of the Queensland Rugby League.

Broncos bosses last year moved to improve communication between Walters and Ikin, who felt marginalised in his role and was seeking greater input in the running of Brisbane’s football program.

There is a view Ikin felt his position at the Broncos was untenable.

Ikin formally hit the Red Hill exits on Sunday, but on the eve of Brisbane’s clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park on Thursday, Walters hit out at suggestions he did not see eyeto-eye with his football boss.

“Me and Ben are fine,” Walters said. “There’s nothing to talk about with Ben. I’ve got no problems with Benny and Benny has no problems with us. I don’t have anything more to say about that.”

Asked if Ikin’s mid-season departure was potentially destabilising for the ladder leaders, Walters said: “Not really.

“Ben has been in great communication with us around the job. So we have been waiting for this moment to happen (Ikin joining the QRL) the last couple of weeks and Ben has been great. We will get through this week and then we will have a look at the position and see who’s available.”

Ikin has played a key role in the resurgence of the Broncos.

Appointed in June 2021, Ikin’s first signing was Penrith premiership-winner Kurt Capewell and the Broncos football chief vowed to give the coach every assistance to help Brisbane win its first title since 2006 under Walters, who praised his contribution.

“Ben has been a part of what is our group moving forward,” Walters said.

“There is no one person in the whole group, myself and the players included, that are more important or critical.

“We wish Ben all the best at the QRL. He will do a great job in there, but we need to move forward now.

“Ben is not here, we are moving forward and it starts against the Storm.

“I’d like to think the Broncos have done a great job with Ben in developing him as a football manager into the position he can do now at the QRL.”

The Storm clash marks a special occasion for Walters. It will be his 300th game for the Broncos as a player and coach – he won five premierships in a stellar 241-game career – and Walters said he will not be satisfied until he brings the NRL trophy back to Red Hill.

“Yeah I did think I would make that conversion (from playing to coaching),” said Walters, who coaches his 59th NRL game this week.

“That was the dream (to coach the Broncos) and you have to keep onto your dreams.

“I am thrilled to get 300, but I feel my best moments at the Broncos are in front of me.”