Kevin Walters Defiant Despite Broncos’ Disastrous End to Season
Kevin Walters has remained resolute despite a crushing end to the Brisbane Broncos’ season, which saw them miss the finals after a hopeful grand final appearance last year. The Broncos’ 50-12 defeat to minor premiers Melbourne on Thursday night has intensified scrutiny on Walters, but the coach is determined to address the issues.
In a somber post-match press conference, Walters acknowledged the challenges faced during a “disappointing” season and emphasized the need for time to address the team’s problems. “It’s been a tough year for everyone involved,” Walters said. “I just need some time now to fix the place up.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Walters admitted it was below standard and expressed his intent to use the upcoming days for a thorough review. Despite his emotional state, he refrained from making any hasty decisions. “I’m four years into my NRL coaching career and everyone can get better,” he noted.
Walters was supported by captain Adam Reynolds during the media session. Reynolds, who has faced criticism for not backing Walters strongly enough, defended his coach. “We all trust in Kev,” Reynolds said. “It’s on us as players; we weren’t good enough.”
Reynolds emphasized the need for self-assessment and hard work in the offseason, acknowledging the team’s passionate leadership under Walters. “We need to have a good hard look at ourselves and come back ready to work hard,” he added.
Despite the season’s disappointments and the blame directed at various quarters, Walters believes that the core talent within the squad is sufficient. “I don’t believe we need to make wholesale changes,” he asserted. “We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.”
