Kevin Walters and Paul Green are the clear early frontrunners to replace Anthony Seibold at Brisbane but the Broncos will have options.
Kevin Walters
Would be the preferred choice of plenty of ex-Brisbane players. Has spent a large part of his post-playing career as a Broncos assistant and is in one of the best positions in the game as Queensland State of Origin coach. Doesn’t have experience as an NRL head coach.
Paul Green
A clear frontrunner alongside Walters. Has been linked to the Broncos ever since leaving North Queensland earlier this year. Has the runs on the board as a premiership-winning coach in North Queensland and also finished his playing career with the club in 2004. If he loses out to Walters would surely be a favourite to take over the Maroons.
Craig Bellamy
Brisbane’s marked man for the past 12 years. The Broncos have tried to twice to bring him back after he left as an assistant for Melbourne at the end of 2002. After the most recent attempt failed in 2018, Bellamy indicated his current deal with the Storm that expires in 2021 would be his last as an NRL coach. It’s hard to see how the Broncos could change his mind and see him exit Melbourne a year early at the same time.
Shane and Ben Walker
Less likely but have links to the club and are desperate for a chance in the NRL. Helped turn Ipswich from wooden spooners to regular finalists and eventually premiers in the Queensland Cup with their unorthodox coaching methods. No NRL club has been willing to take a punt on them and it would be a massive call for the Broncos given their current predicament.
Shaun Wane
Wants to coach in the NRL and firmly believes he would “kill it” if given the chance. Won the English Super League three times in eight years with Wigan. Would be an outsider and is signed to coach the English national team until the end of 2022.
Todd Payten
On the lookout for an NRL job in Australia after saying no to the Warriors for family reasons. Is inexperienced but has impressed during his brief stint in charge of the Warriors, winning four from nine to put them back in finals contention. Would be a serious bolter if he landed the job.
Stephen Kearney
Has been an assistant at the Broncos before between stints in charge of Parramatta and the Warriors. Back living in Brisbane and is one of the more experienced coaches on the market after being sacked by the Warriors earlier this year. But his win-loss record of 43-76 will hardly inspire Broncos powerbrokers who are desperate to turn things around.
John Cartwright
One of the most experienced coaches in the business still acting as an assistant at Manly. A frontrunner for the North Queensland gig who has made no secret of the fact he still has aspirations of being a head coach again. Took the Gold Coast to the finals twice but it’s hard to see him landing the Brisbane job.
Emcie
Roar Guru
They're the media's two favourites, the board hasn't endorsed anyones chances and its unlikely they will at all until theres ink on the dotted line
Josh
Guest
Green and Walters are the 2 favourites which is wierd in itself as they are 2 very different coaches so that tells me the broncos board have no idea because if they knew what they wanted they would know who they wanted. You should never call out for applicants for an NRL coaching job you should just go and get the one who you need. Cowboys should get Payten, Dragons should go get Griffin and Broncos should go get Green or Henry
mushi
Roar Guru
Definitely not, it might have some benefit of a cultural reset but that is probably only worth 3-4 ladder spots. At some point they need to to map out what is the core competency of the broncos. What is it that can sustain success beyond one coach/playing group.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think white enthincly cleansed them
Rob
Guest
Well yes. The injuries to Bird, Gillett Fafita, Turpin, Staggs, Lodge, Glenn and suspension of TPJ probably hurt his ability to coach? Boyd would have been medically retired if Bennett was the coach. Hard to play with a damaged ticker.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I hate reading about dystopian futures that are set in six months time...
Emcie
Roar Guru
Play makers are still a thing?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Yep, and not sure it was fixed by dropping the current one either. I think people get too fixated on tactical issues and loose sight of the logistical ones
mushi
Roar Guru
They also used to have huge numbers captured thst aren't now
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep I think we agree a coach can't fix it next year
Emcie
Roar Guru
Buuuut, the fact we have different ideas about what issue is bigger probably highlights what's in store for whoever gets the gig more then anything...
mushi
Roar Guru
They haven't gotten the play makers they used to because they target athletes
Emcie
Roar Guru
Mate, Walters would take the job if he had to supply his own furniture and could only pick players from under 10s...
Emcie
Roar Guru
I get what you're saying, but it's not like the Broncs havn't had quality juniors coming through (it's practically all the clubs had to work with lately) it's the keeping them that's been the issue
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Has anyone actually asked Walters in the last few days if he wants the job? He may have second thoughts after the conniptions within the club, and a playing roster whose only planned move recently was to go to a pub lunch.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm also a huge believer in that and have said time is more important than ability for a coach so many times on here. I'd give every coach 4 years if I was a board member and fire the CEO if he was rubbish before then. But Broncos shouldn't have to attract players, they should already be Broncos playing for unders to stay home and also because human beings detest the risk of change. It's the junior system that is making them an average club when they should be one exploiting a natural monopsony
Emcie
Roar Guru
I dunno, I still reckon having one coach for 20 years was their biggest advantage. I' m not what you'd call a traditionalist but there's alot to be said for long term stability. It's much easier to attract players when you're a known quantity and players will take unders for a safe bet. The Broncos haven't been either for a while now and I'm not sure any of the current contenders can remedy that
mushi
Roar Guru
"A 2 year coaching gig you inherit the last coaches system and players by the 2nd year you are bring through your own style which can be determined by the individuals ability to adjust or injuries to key players. " So seibold
mushi
Roar Guru
The coach is irrelevant if the goal is a return to perennial multi generational challengers. If that is reliant on indetifying and retaining a key person then there's nothing intrinsic to the Broncos that drives success. Their advantage used to be the strangle hold on SQ talent and a pretty good inroad outside of that in QLD. They got to cute about talent identification and forgot they were about large numbers. They should trawl for talent whilst others spear fish. But... I hope they keep trying to spear fish
Waddster
Roar Rookie
When you have a management that allows Lodge to continue and think of apoointing him as Captain. The coaches breaking the bubble. Its about character and the Broncos fail. Entitlement for what results recently. Snother Murdoch fail.