Darius Boyd is convinced Brisbane will bounce back from collecting their first NRL wooden spoon next year – and believes Kevin Walters is the man to inspire it.
Even rival coach Josh Hannay felt for Brisbane after the once-mighty Broncos collected their maiden NRL wooden spoon in the club’s 32-year history.
But departing Broncos great Darius Boyd is convinced the six-time premiers can bounce back and play finals next year.
And he believes Kevin Walters is the man to spark the revival.
Brisbane’s woeful 2020 mercifully came to an end when they were relegated to dead last for the first time by a 32-16 loss to North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
It was also an inglorious end to ex-skipper Boyd’s otherwise stellar 337-game career.
Positives were hard to find after Brisbane ended a horror year that included a club-record 11 straight losses, their most defeats in a season (17), their most points conceded (624), their lowest season points tally (268) and their worst points differential (-356).
It was enough to earn sympathy from interim Cowboys coach Hannay.
“They are our fiercest rival…but this year I have witnessed the torrent of abuse that has come their way,” he said.
“And after being consigned to the wooden spoon there is going to be a fresh wave of abuse and criticism.
“They are considered the evil empire in many people’s eyes, but I look at what they have gone through this year and I really do feel for them – I hope their bounce back is swift.”
Boyd was confident it would be after looking at the talent in the Broncos dressing room rather than the NRL ladder on Thursday night.
Citing youngsters Herbie Farnworth, Xavier Coates and Jordan Riki, Boyd firmly believed the Broncos’ future was bright.
“In my opinion, having a new coach, a new system, the boys putting this year behind them, getting out of the bubble and if they re-group and refresh and have a real strong pre-season with a defensive mindset I think this group can easily get into the top eight next year,” he said.
Former Broncos premiership-winning captain and current Queensland mentor Walters was interviewed for the Brisbane 2021 gig on Thursday along with ex-Cowboys mentor Paul Green.
Boyd reckoned there was only one man who could turn it around for Brisbane.
“I’ve always said Kevvie deserves it,” he said.
“At the end of the day the club needs to make a big decision.
“Kevvie has been around for quite a while, his record speaks for itself as a player and assistant, I know he hasn’t had a head coaching job…but I think the fans will get behind Kevvie.
“At the end of the day you need to get results – it’s up to them (Broncos).”
Despite Boyd’s optimism, Brisbane will start 2021 behind the eight ball after makeshift five-eighth and NSW Origin hopeful Kotoni Staggs suffered a suspected ACL knee injury.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Darius wins three prizes this year: - number of whinging demands to ref for ruck penalty, having claimed opposition infringement from every tackle/ruck in which he was involved. - number of “We’re No. 1” claims in a losing team when they score a try. - number of walking metres during game time for a fullback. He made a number of really skilful try assists, but waving his “we’re No. 1” finger in the air every time and his continual sooking towards refs was just unbearable
Charlie Turner
Guest
First time I've heard of a gender reveal. Seems like an odd thing to do but why is it a bad thing to do?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Was that statement before or after he performed the gender reveal?
Tony
Roar Guru
Beginning to look like a dog's breakfast
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Boyd isn't the first Bronco to put in a plug for Walters who is well liked and repected up here in Brisland. But the playing roster just doesn't seem to understand that their well below par performances this year haven't given them any rights in the matter. It almost looks as though the players are trying to influence the interview panel who might wonder why the players want Walters so much. Walters and Green were interviewed yesterday, so there should be an announcement soon. Our local newspaper seems to be tipping Walters. In the meantime, the club is also trying to find a new CEO with today's Brisbane press saying that Ikin is out of contention. Then there's the coaching staff to bed down as well, and there's talk of a football Director of some sort overseeing club culture and football operations. This is supposed to be Bellamy's job in 12 month's time. It sounds a bit like Meninga's role at the Titans. There's a few player replacements being looked at too. The club doesn't have much time to get all these appointments completed. In any event, it's hard to see that the team will be settled in with all its problems fixed up in a short time. I think Boyd is being very optimistic about the performance of the club next year. Unsettled clubs don't usually go too well.
Tony
Roar Guru
Anything dropped that far will bounce somewhat
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
What else is he going to say? They will miss his turnstile defence. Probably improve and finish second last.