Broncos hooker Billy Walters has defended his father, Kevin Walters, amid mounting criticism and calls for his dismissal as head coach. Following a heavy 50-12 defeat to the Melbourne Storm, Billy Walters expressed his frustration with the ongoing negativity surrounding his father’s coaching. Speaking to Triple M, he described the criticism as “unnecessary” and suggested that people have short memories about the achievements of his father.
Kevin Walters led the Broncos to the NRL Grand Final last season, an accomplishment that Billy Walters highlighted as significant. He noted that Kevin Walters took a team that had finished last in the previous season to nearly winning the competition against one of the best teams seen in decades. Despite this success, the criticism continues, and supporters on social media have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. Some have called for a new head coach for the 2025 season and beyond, with comments reflecting discontent over the team’s performance under Kevin Walters.
Critics on social media have been harsh. One comment criticized Billy Walters’ perspective, stating that Kevin Walters’ tenure has been largely unsuccessful, with the team missing the finals three out of four years. Another post bluntly suggested that Billy Walters’ future with the Broncos is tied to his father’s job security. A third comment accused the Broncos of lacking accountability and focusing too much on excuses rather than addressing performance issues.
The Broncos ended the season in 12th place, and Kevin Walters addressed questions about the team’s roster for next year. He suggested that major changes were not necessary, expressing confidence in the existing talent within the club. Walters emphasized that the team had achieved success before and could do so again with the right approach and teamwork.
This season, the Broncos faced significant player losses, including centre Herbie Farnworth and key forwards Kurt Capewell, Tom Flegler, and Keenan Palasia, who joined rival clubs. To address these gaps, the Broncos recruited forwards Jaiyden Hunt, Jack Gosiewski, and Fletcher Baker, but none made a significant impact. Discussions are ongoing with Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh for next season, and the team may also lose forward Kobe Hetherington, who is exploring options with other clubs. Winger Corey Oates and prop Martin Taupau have not been offered new contracts.
Kevin Walters plans to conduct a season review with staff and players to assess what went wrong this year. The review will likely include recommendations for improvements and potentially new player acquisitions. The Broncos’ defense was a major concern, as they conceded over 600 points for only the third time in their history, underscoring significant defensive weaknesses.
Walters acknowledged the defensive issues, stating that the team’s defense was subpar throughout the season and did not meet their expected performance levels. He emphasized the need to address defensive shortcomings as a priority and expressed disappointment with the team’s regression compared to previous seasons. Walters expressed regret over the season’s outcome, acknowledging the disappointment felt by fans, sponsors, and everyone associated with the club.
In summary, while Billy Walters defended his father amidst criticism, the Broncos face an uncertain future as they review the season’s shortcomings and plan for potential changes. Kevin Walters remains hopeful about leveraging the existing talent and addressing defensive issues to improve the team’s performance in the upcoming seasons.
