If the reports are to be believed, regardless of if and when a coaching director arrives, it looks like Kevin Walters will be named as head coach of the Brisbane Broncos.
Assuming that’s the case, the Broncos board are about to put a coach with no NRL coaching experience in charge of a playing group that kept finding new ways to embarrass themselves this year.
And if further reports of limited salary cap space are to be believed, he’ll be taking the job with largely the 2019 playing roster.
It will be interesting to watch how Walters, with his self-deprecating, knockabout personality and obvious passion for the club, gels with a young group that desperately need someone to instil some discipline and hardness. That’s why when Walters is formally announced as coach the first call he needs to make is to Brad Thorn.
For anyone who hasn’t seen the Samuel L Jackson film Coach Carter, picture Jackson as a high school basketball coach in a rough part of Los Angeles. There he moulds an angry, dispirited group of individuals into a cohesive team by instilling discipline and pride.
There’s a great line when he walks into his first practice, points to his name at the top of several honour boards and explains, “If you need to know my credentials, they’re on the wall behind you”.
I can almost picture Brad Thorn at his first practice making a similar address to the young, fractured and overawed Brisbane Broncos. And if anyone’s playing resume demands respect, it’s Thorn’s. The record is remarkable. Four premierships at the Brisbane Broncos – all won alongside Walters – a Super Rugby title, State of Origin series, Tests for the Kangaroos, 59 Tests for the All Blacks, a Rugby World Cup and a playing career topped off with a Heineken Cup title at the tender age of 40.
He’s also shown he’s no slouch as head coach either. In three seasons he’s turned the Queensland Reds from Super Rugby easybeats to a team that pushed the Brumbies all the way in the Super Rugby AU final early this month. And how did he do that? With a cultural overhaul that started with showing a few veterans the door and rebuilding a young team in his own image, built on hard work and perseverance.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
One story goes that in his first preseason as Reds coach Thorn shocked the playing group and broke the team record with a 180-kilo bench press. Not bad for a then 42-year-old.
In short, Brad Thorn would command instant respect, not just from the playing group but from the seemingly influential Broncos ‘old boys’. He would instil a hardness and team-first ethos the team so desperately needs. Be it defence coach, high-performance coach or whatever the title, the Broncos would undoubtedly be stronger with Thorn in the set-up. Not to mention signing the off-contract Thorn would deliver the added bonus of weakening their cross-code rivals.
It should be acknowledged that league and union are different sports and Thorn’s success leading the Reds wouldn’t necessarily translate to immediate success as an assistant coach in rugby league. Yet a sneaky peek at Thorn’s career proves he’s succeeded everywhere he’s gone. It would also provide an interesting dynamic, the wise-cracking Walters and the hard-nosed understated Thorn.
Undoubtedly he wouldn’t come cheap, and he’d no doubt have plenty of options both in Australia and abroad. He also may not have any interest in returning to rugby league or taking a job as an assistant.
But it’s the Brisbane Broncos. They can afford to sway him with a decent package. If going down the Brad Thorn path, a second senior assistant with some NRL coaching experience or at the very least long-term experience as an assistant would round out the coaching trio nicely.
By the time Walters is eventually announced as coach hopefully for his sake and that of the club he’s already sounded out Thorn for a return. If so, his first recruitment could be his most influential.
Mungo Joe
Guest
I'd add something to the mix - gimme a call Red Hill :stoked: :stoked: :stoked:
Big Daddy
Guest
History tells us the Brisbane Old boys club has had the most success, but the one thing Walters doesn't have is any success at club level which leaves me unconvinced he's the right man. He had better make the 8 or he's on the slippery slide as well. One of the problems is every coach other than Bennett is expected to reach his lofty heights/ standards. I'm sure Wayne will wish him well but not too well but there is enough experience around the club to make it happen and they always seem to unearth some new talent so their time will come.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Nice article Lost and enjoyed reading the comments. For my 20 cents worth, I think the issue with the Broncos is the whole organisation is full with overpaid rookies - players, coaches and board members. I think they need to bring in some experience rather than assistant coaches with great playing records but limited coaching credentials. Cheers
Paul
Roar Guru
or Thorn if they thought he could add value!
Tony
Roar Guru
Sounds about right
Don
Roar Rookie
I thought of Webke but doubt he’d want to do it with his media work. One thing that the Broncos need to do is bring these talented young guys down to earth and understanding the opportunity they have can be quickly taken away. Apparently the self entitlement amongst the group is over the top. Trophy night should be easy in 2020. Just give trophies to Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth. No one else consistently had a crack.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think he realises a rugby coach has more control but the same responsibility. Without a godfather offer it would be foolish to jump
Don
Roar Rookie
They are paranoid about not locking in all the junior talent and actually inflate the market such is their concern that they let one go.
Tony
Roar Guru
100% right on that one. Or even Webke
Don
Roar Rookie
They’d be just as well served by bringing in Petero as a consultant.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Amen. Rellum and I have been saying this for years now. Silly thing was when Dargan and O'Sullivan were the 'next' great halves coming through, they weren't having much impact at QCup level (granted still young) guys like Todd Murphy, Fogarty, Cullen were leading Falcons, Redcliffe and Bears around with garce and ease. When the let Kodi go they bring an 18yo straight out of high school.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah its strange . Now i dont see huge numbers of players who stand out at Q Cup level but when you get one it's pretty obvious.
Paul
Roar Guru
The aspects that you mention Thorn would bring are things Walters and/or someone will certainly need to address before the season starts. I'm not sure how keen Walters would be to have someone like Thorn as a support coach. For sure, he's the type of guy who'd be great to address the troops, get them focusing on what it means to be a Bronco, etc, but Walters has to quickly set himself up as the head honcho and having a Thorn type coach there full time, might not be the best move, IMO.
Parasite
Roar Rookie
When Walters took over at Catalans, the team was very much on the up, while he was there they could beat the best on any given day then turn up next week and get a record score put on them from a team in the relegation battle. Iirc he took over from Robinson and look what he's done since at the Roosters. I can't see the Broncos doing much with Walters imo. Good luck getting Thorne, I can't see him returning, he has no need to and has set himself up for coaching in Union, he'll be wanted in quite a few places if he left the Reds and would be the head coach straight away, can't see him returning to RL.
Tony
Roar Guru
But he probably would add something to the mix if he was in an assistant coaching role.
Don
Roar Rookie
The Broncos historically don’t recruit from the QCup. I wonder if they even watch anyone but their own players in the lower tier. They have a narrow focus on vacuuming up all the available young talent from schools, often over paying them, and ignore quality mature players they could have signed cheaper and who are better prepared for NRL footy than 18 year olds. How they ignored Cody Walker while he tore the competition apart up here for Easts was beyond dumb. One thing that Walters will definitely work on closely is the Broncos halves.
Rob
Guest
I thought the Reds and Broncos had been having some training session together of late? Not sure it worked well especially in defensive improvements.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I go to a few Bears games and i always wondered what the hell Fogarty and Page were doing at that level. Fogarty got his chance and nailed it. I think Page would as well.
Adam
Roar Guru
Maybe bring Thorn in for his playing experience? Rather than his coaching ability
Don
Roar Rookie
But he hasn’t won anything as a coach....