Brisbane appear set to appoint club legend Kevin Walters as their head coach from 2021 with an announcement expected on Wednesday.
The position is set to be finalised at a board meeting on Monday with Walters beating out former North Queensland coach Paul Green for the job.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting Walters will take over at his former club from next season with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy supervising in a coaching director role from 2022.
Last week Bellamy said he would retire from his role as a NRL coach at the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of year.
He also confirmed he is keeping his options open in terms of the Broncos – who he has already turned down twice for a head coaching role.
Walters, who played 241 games for the Broncos, is understood to be the preferred choice above Green to turn the club’s culture around.
It comes just days after the Broncos claimed the first wooden spoon in the club’s history in a horror season that saw the departure of head coach Anthony Seibold.
Walters has previously said he would not abandon his commitment as Queensland coach before this year’s State of Origin series in November.
However, should he be appointed as Broncos coach the Maroons will need to look elsewhere for a replacement for the 2021 series.
R N
Roar Rookie
Sure does. Hope it works out. I wish him no ill will at all. I just think he doesnt have the know-how. Happy to be proven wrong... which I am often!
Crow
Roar Pro
Looks like Kevie got the job
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Fish rot from the inside actually.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
If it doesn’t work out it doesn’t work out. It might add a little extra spice, but if the board were willing to sack their foundation coach for a rookie it’s hard to imagine they’d have much issue giving Kevvie the wipe over. I wouldn’t if I were them, because these knee jerk big man decisions keep biting them on the rear, but who knows what goes on in the heads of these blokes.
TP.777
Roar Rookie
Do you think Hunt and Norman are on Kevies recruitment list....i hope as a Dragons supporter they are on on his mind!!!
Nico
Roar Rookie
Walters has had to oversee the retirement of two future immortals in Smith and Thurston, as well as Cronk, Slater and Inglis during his Qld tenure, the fact that he's come away with 2 series wins and 2 losses is hardly a black mark against him. You might recall Australia only won 3 out of 25 tests when Marsh, Lillee and Chappell all retired at once in '84. He might not have set the world on fire 10 years ago but he's had time to work on things as assistant to Bellamy and Bennett and deserves a chance
LeftRight
Guest
I hope Walters succeeds, but by God it'll be hard for him given the mess the club is in.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Kevvie wont work. Just the name "Kevvie" is too matesy, too old boys. That has been the Club's problem. They'll end up like the Bulldogs or Tigers. The Broncos really need a thorough clean out, they need to get rid of the entire board, and all the old boys hanging on. Langer, Lockyer are useless, the entire club management needs to go. They need a new CEO that is not a league type who is matey with "connections' , they need a CEO who is experienced in running a public listed ASX company, not some league or Bronco crony. Next year will be not much better that 2020. The fish rots at the head.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Two comments. Will Kevvie use the Coach Whisperer as he did in Origin? Secondly installing a former great as coach makes it uncomfortable if it does not work out. Examples are Freddy at the Roosters and in AFL Michael Voss at the Lions.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The Catalans regressed in his first season from where the previous coach had them, and regressed further his second year. They went 3-10 his second year. That challenge cup semi final they were beaten by 40, and beat the team that ran 9th in second division in the qtrs to get there. The coach that took them over took them to 4th and 6th in subsequent seasons, so it wasn't the players that were bad. And if we don't judge him on what he did 10 years then what do we judge him on? Getting beaten by Brad Fittler?
Nico
Roar Rookie
Are we really judging him on one bad Super League season 10 years ago? He also got Catalans to the finals and was one game short of a challenge cup final the season before. Also got Ipswich Jets to their first minor premiership in Q Cup. Bennett got the wooden spoon in his first year in charge of Souths, just as well someone had the foresight not to judge him too harshly on his early results
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Is Green on both sides?
Nat
Roar Rookie
After 6 months in the sun I'm sure Bellamy has real reservations about one last year in Melbourne. I can only assume this is the case if the Broncos are going to give Kevvie the role based on having Bellamy coaching director. Feel free to bring Smithy with you Craig.
Nat
Roar Rookie
That is the one way I'd be happy with Walters appointment, if he has someone more experienced (like Bellamy) over seeing the role. At the moment he bring enthusiasm and good intentions. Who knows, he might have a lot more but I haven't seen it from him in any other role. His one current strength is getting the best from the halves and that will go a way to fixing some issues within the team.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Now we flip a coin to see who takes over the Qld role.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
his contacts are his employer
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Failed dismally in the Super League, and I doubt he has improved in the decade since
R N
Roar Rookie
Are you a Walters Russian bot Crow? 7 pro Walters comments in a 1/2 hour rampage! Great to see the enthusiasm... I hope he goes well. I just cannot see it though. His record as a coach and as an assistant is poor (wasn't he "moved on" by both Bellamy and Bennett?). Will be another bad signing from the Broncs.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Dunno if "look what he did for QLD origin" is a point in his favour...
Crow
Roar Pro
Wayne Bennett was not a good communicator but he committed great things. We are talking about Queensland