Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has denied suggestions Kevin Walters lost the playing group during the 2024 season, leading to his sacking as Brisbane’s head coach on Thursday.
Walters’ departure shocked the rugby league world, with a review into the club’s disappointing 2024 season culminating in the coach being blindsided by the results that were laid out.
Broncos players were reportedly then called into a meeting on Saturday morning to be informed Michael Maguire was shaping as the club’s next head coach.
The review reportedly included feedback from anonymous Broncos players, but Reynolds told The Daily Telegraph he didn’t see his departure coming.
“Like everyone else in the playing group, I certainly didn’t see it coming,” he said.
“We had no idea. Players weren’t told. I guess things break pretty quick.
“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.”
When asked if Walters had fallen out of favour with the playing group, Reynolds said: “No, I don’t agree with that. I can’t see a reason why they’d be off Kev.”
As for the reports players had given Walters scathing assessments in the club’s review?
“I’d be very surprised if that was the case. We wouldn’t be in the position we are today, with the quality in the football side we have, unless Kev was there,” Reynolds said.
“If anything could have gone wrong this year, it did for us. I don’t believe Kev was the issue.”
