- Shane Webcke’s unimpressed coach Kevin Walters was moved
- Following a review of the 2024 NRL season, 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 told on Thursday his services were no longer required at Red Hill following a review of the team’s demise, where they finished 12th this season.
It followed their big final performance last year.
There is much debate over whether Walters was sacked or whether he agreed to step aside, with the club insisting he was pulling out – and Webcke believes power brokers should provide clarity.
“It smells like they’re trying to put some kind of fancy wallpaper over it now and call it something that it’s not,” the 254-game veteran told SENQ’s Breakfast with Pat and Heals.
‘I also think that is a terrible weakness. If you want to make a tough decision, call it what it is. Don’t try to make it into something that it isn’t.’
Webcke was also convinced that Walters should have been given the chance to prove himself in 2025.
‘Let’s see what he did. From wooden spoonbills we were just a second away from winning the grand final,” the decorated prop added.
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 told on Thursday that his services were no longer required at Red Hill following a review of the team’s shocking demise in the 2024 season, where they finished 12th.
“None of us are happy with last season, 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 that, do it because that’s what you do [hire] someone better. Well, who’s better? Who is currently available and is a better fit for Kevvie Walters?
‘There’s nothing logical about this, it just doesn’t make sense. It seems like a hasty decision by people who don’t understand what our club is about and what our game is about.”
Webcke’s fighting words come as skipper Adam Reynolds told Fairfax the playing group was 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 does not wash his hands with the Broncos.
“We are indebted to Kevin for the tremendous role he has played over the past four years,” he said.
‘Kevin has put his heart and soul into the club during his time as coach.
“He is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet when it comes to the Broncos. We will miss Kev and his infectious personality.”
Walters, a five-time premiership winner with the Broncos and former captain, took on the role 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.