A stunning new claim about the Broncos’ end of season review which led to Kevin Walters’ shock sacking has been revealed amid suggestions Walters’ reaction to the review contributed to his exit.
Walters and the Broncos parted ways last Thursday night following an internal review which veteran journalist Brent Read said was carried out by an “external person” and ultimately not favourable for the coach.
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“… You don’t have to be Einstein to work out the review didn’t reflect particularly well on Kevin and the coaching situation there so obviously the club decided to go in another direction,” Read said on Monday night’s episode of NRL360.
“Generally you don’t do a review unless you’re pretty sure how it’s going to turn out. So I’m sure before they did the review, they probably had concerns.”
Brisbane missed the finals this season after some inconsistent play although injuries to key stars certainly not helping.
It’s been an unbelievable turnaround from 12 months ago, with Walters’ Broncos leading the Panthers 24-8 in the second half of the 2023 grand final before coughing up that lead.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said he believed Walters was unfairly treated by the Broncos before explaining what he thought the reason why Brisbane made the move.
“I’m of the very strong opinion that he was entitled to a minimum of 12 weeks next year to rectify and introduce what the report recommended,” Rothfield said.
“Now I’m told it wasn’t just the report that cost him his job, it was Kevvie’s reaction to the report and the fact that he blew up. That’s what Pete Badel wrote last week, that he didn’t take kindly to the criticism.
“…This one starts in the front office and the front office and the board. I am dirty on the players who have obviously turned on him.
“But they’ve all gone in behind his back and they’ve obviously complained and I don’t like that particularly after taking them to a grand final.
“Do you think any of these players said to the reviewer ‘my form was very ordinary this year, it’s not all Kev’s fault’. Seriously did any player take ownership?”
The Broncos wasted no time finding a replacement, announcing the hire of this year’s NSW coach Michael Maguire on Tuesday morning.
Before Maguire’s news was announced Channel 9’s Danny Weidler appeared on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show to make a startling claim about the Broncos’ review process.
“I got some mail late in the week, is that the way this review was done was players signing in via QR codes and did some sort of review or survey on their devices and that way, it was kept anonymous,” Weidler said.
“I’ve actually confirmed this as I have very good sources on it and I’ve gone to the club on it, messaging their CEO Dave Donaghy alluding to it and I’ve heard nothing back.
“I’m happy to hear what they say and if it’s not correct, that’s fine, but that’s exactly what I’ve been told and told by very good sources.”
This elicited a strong reaction from former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, who was incredulous that the Broncos chose to conduct a end-of-season review in such a manner.
‘I don’t think Madge is better than Kev’ | 03:02
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“There’s no accountability. You can say what you want. That’s not a fair playing field,” Clarke said.
“That’s wrong Danny. The senior players, the coaches, the board, the CEO. That’s got to be face-to-face. You got to give Kevvie a chance.”
Weidler then put to Clarke that perhaps the Broncos didn’t want to give Walters a chance.
“Don’t do a review, just sack him then,” Clarke replied.
“Being able to write and say whatever you want behind someone’s back and take no accountability and not own your words. I can’t believe that.”
Source Agencies
