- Pressure mounts on Broncos coach Kevin Walters
- The 50-12 thrashing against Melbourne Storm won’t help
- His son Billy finds harsh criticism ‘unnecessary’
- Hooker also stated that disgruntled fans have a “short memory”
Broncos corner Billy Walters has defended his embattled father Kevin as football fans call for him to be sacked as head coach.
Speaking to Triple M on Thursday night, shortly after Brisbane were beaten 50-12 by the Melbourne Storm, the dummy half said the ongoing criticism from some quarters was “unnecessary”.
Walters also pointed out that his father led the Broncos to the NRL Grand Final last season.
“People have short memories,” he told listeners from Suncorp Stadium.
He took a team from the wooden spoon to [almost] winning a match against the best team we’ve seen in the last 40 years.
‘The criticism is harsh.’
Supporters did not hold back on social media and many wanted to see a new head coach at Red Hill from 2025.
‘He [Billy Walters] has a short memory. [Kevin has] “I was there four years and missed the finals three out of four times,” someone posted on X.
Broncos footy player Billy Walters has defended his embattled father Kevin as football fans call for him to be sacked as head coach
Since Kevin Walters took over as head coach of the Broncos in 2021, he has led his team to the Finals just once
Another said bluntly: “Billy knows his Broncos career is over once his dad leaves the building.”
A third said: ‘Lots of excuses from the Broncos, little accountability.’
Billy Walters comes out with his belligerent words despite the Broncos finishing the season in 12th place.
After the game, Kevin Walters was asked if the playing group would look different next year.
“Not that much… I don’t think we need that. I truly believe the talent is in the building,” he said.
“We just have to work together in the right direction. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.”
The Broncos lost centre Herbie Farnworth and three top 17 forwards – Kurt Capewell, Tom Flegler and Keenan Palasia – from last year’s finals team to rival NRL clubs.
This season, three forwards were signed – Jaiyden Hunt, Jack Gosiewski and Fletcher Baker – but none of them were fired.
The Broncos were beaten 50-12 by Melbourne on Thursday (pictured) – and fans were quick to show their displeasure on social media
The Broncos have held talks with Canberra star Corey Horsburgh for next year.
They are also likely to part ways with forward Kobe Hetherington, who has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Winger Corey Oates and prop Martin Taupau have not been offered new contracts.
Walters starts Monday with a season review with staff and players. The need to go to the market could well be one of the recommendations of that investigation into what went wrong this year.
The Broncos gave up more than 600 points for only the third time in their season history, since 1988, underscoring the weaknesses of their defense.
“It’s actually been down for most of the year. There’s not a lot of (games) that we’ve had under our projected number for the season,” Walters said.
“So it’s definitely an area we’re going to put a lot of work into. We know we have the talent, and talent comes through on offense. It’s the mindset on defense that we’ve got to get a lot better at and that’s going to be our first port of call.
“We’ve taken a lot of steps back this year. I’m just incredibly disappointed. I feel for all our fans and our sponsors and everyone involved with the club.
“What happened this year is unacceptable, but we are going to investigate everything thoroughly and get some positive answers. Then we will start working on it.”