- Shane Webcke, unimpressed coach Kevin Walters, was outplayed
- Following a review of the 2024 NRL season, the Broncos finished 12th
Broncos great Shane Webcke has accused the NRL club of hiding the truth when it comes to moving Kevin Walters as head coach.
Walters, 56, was informed on Thursday that his services were no longer needed at Red Hill following a review of the team’s decline, where they finished 12th this season.
This followed his grand final appearance last year.
There has been debate over whether Walters was sacked or agreed to step aside, with the club insisting he resigned, and Webcke believes the powers that be must come clean.
“It smells like now they’re trying to put pretty wallpaper on it and call it something it’s not,” the 254-game veteran told SENQ’s Breakfast with Pat and Heals.
‘I also see it as a terrible weakness. If you’re going to make a difficult decision, call it what it is. Don’t try to turn it into something it isn’t.
Webcke also insisted that Walters should have been given the chance to prove himself in 2025.
‘Let’s see what he’s done. We went from being wooden spoons to being one second away from winning the grand final,” added the decorated prop.
Broncos great Shane Webcke has accused the NRL club of hiding the truth when it comes to moving Kevin Walters as head coach.
Walters was informed on Thursday that his services were no longer needed at Red Hill following a review of the team’s shocking fall in the 2024 season, where they finished 12th.
“None of us are happy with the season that just ended, especially Kevvie.
“But I think the smartest and right thing would have been to let Kevvie coach next year.
‘If you’re going to make a decision like this, do it because you’re going to (hire) someone better. Well, who is better? Who is available right now and will be a better fit than Kevvie Walters?
“There’s nothing logical about this, it just doesn’t make any sense… it seems like a knee-jerk decision made by people who don’t understand what our club is about or what our game is about.”
Webcke’s fighting words come as captain Adam Reynolds told Fairfax the group of players were “as surprised as anyone when the news broke”, suggesting the club lacks leadership.
Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy paid tribute to Walters and hopes one of the club’s favorite sons doesn’t wash his hands of the Broncos.
“We owe Kevin a debt of gratitude for the enormous role he has played over the past four years,” he said.
‘Kevin put his heart and soul into the club during his time as manager.
“He is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet when it comes to the Broncos…Kev and his infectious personality will be missed.”
Walters, a five-time premiership winner with the Broncos and former captain, took over at the end of 2020.
He coached 99 NRL matches, winning 50 of them, making him the club’s third longest-serving coach.
Early contenders to replace Walters include NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire, Queensland State of Origin assistant Josh Hannay and former Rabbitohs mentor Jason Demetriou.