Tallis has defended his former teammate all season as Brisbane struggled for form and ultimately finished outside the top eight despite the ex-coach’s insistence they would play finals football in 2024.
Speaking on Triple M on Sunday, the Raging Bull did not hold back on his former club.
My first reaction, I was shocked and my phone lit up … I rang and spoke to Kevvy and he said it was true,” Tallis told Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin program.
“I had a quick chat and he seemed to be in a really good headspace. I popped around to his place and I think it’s a weight lifted off his shoulders.
“I don’t think he ever felt like he got the support that he wanted. He had to go and buy his own shirt to do his press conference and I felt like he was doing it all alone.
“I wouldn’t have made the decision, I would have given him the chance to see where the club was at. It’s a little bit premature.
“I’ve rang some real powerful guys in our game to talk about reviews … they say it’s a coward’s way out because the CEO and chairman don’t want to make the decision.
“Something needs to change at the organisation.”
Meanwhile Broncos captain and star halfback Adam Reynolds has claimed Walters never lost the trust of the playing squad, who were also blindsided by the sacking.
“We had no idea. Players weren’t told. I guess things break pretty quick,” Reynolds told The Daily Telegraph.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get told as a playing group and most of us found out through the news, but I’ve since spoken to Dave (Donaghy, Broncos CEO) and he addressed the playing group and apologised for it coming out that way.
I’ve got a great relationship with Kev. I’m forever thankful for him giving me the opportunity to come up to this club. I loved being coached by him.
“No, I don’t agree (Walters lost the playing group). I can’t see a reason why they’d be off Kev.”
With attention turning to who will succeed Walters at Red Hill, NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire has reportedly firmed as the likeliest candidate for one of the NRL’s most scrutinised head coaching jobs.
Maguire won the 2014 premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs with inspirational leader Sam Burgess famously playing almost the entire grand final hampered by a broken cheekbone, followed by a much less successful tenure at perennial strugglers Wests Tigers.
In 2024 he coached NSW to a come-from-behind 2-1 series victory over Queensland, their first series win since 2021.
“Do a review on him at Souths and Tigers, then you’d have your answer,” Tallis said.
“This is one thing that I do know – coaching NSW against Queensland without Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui), (Tom) Flegler, (Tom) Gilbert and (Cameron) Munster – they are two different coaches. A rep coach is not a club coach … it’s a massive difference.
“The best candidate has been sacked by his last two clubs.”
