Broncos young gun Selwyn Cobbo has found himself in hot water after comments made on a podcast emerged in which he took aim at his coach, Kevin Walters.
Cobbo, speaking on Back of the 135 podcast at the end of last season, was asked by the host for his opinions of his coach, and gave a surprisingly negative response.
“I reckon he’s a good person,” said the winger. “He’s a good person, like a good bloke but I don’t think he’s a good coach. He’s not the best coach but he’s alright.
“I feel like he’s just a good person but I don’t reckon he’s a coach. Even though he experienced footy, been through all the grand finals and all that, but I feel like he’s not a coach.
“But he’s a good person, a good bloke and does a lot for the club. But the way he coaches is a bit weird, I guess. He’s a good person though. He’s an alright coach.”
Though the comments were made months ago, they only came to light recently and the Broncos were swift to issue a retraction from their young star.
“Today’s article on a podcast I did last year has been taken out of context,” said Cobbo in a statement. “It was two guys chatting and joking about silly things like the comments about Kev that had been made by Tyson.
“The fact is that Kev is a very good coach, as are all of our coaches at the Broncos. I was lucky enough to play Origin for Queensland last year and that is off the back of the coaching of Kev and his team.
“Kev has taught me a lot since coming into the NRL squad and provided me with great support as I adjusted to the professionalism of NRL.
“I was late to training a few times and instead of cutting me, he educated me and supported me.
“When I felt burnt out late in the year, Kev rested me and when he thought I was ready he gave me more responsibilities.
“I have already contacted Kev to apologise and I’d like to extend that to his family and the whole Broncos club for this unwarranted attention over some silly comments from me.”
Cobbo was referring to a similar incident at the end of last year where comments from Tyson Gamble, who has since left the club, were taken as a slight on Walters after the five eighth implied that captain Adam Reynolds was more influential than the coach.
“Kev’s the coach but Reyno is the go-to man for everybody,” said Gamble. “If you’ve got a question about the team or footy, you go to him. It’s not a knock on Kev but ‘Reyno’ has been around for so long.
“Kevvie really understands footy and he’s a good bloke in getting the team up and about but the modern day is so different to the way Kevvie played footy.
“There are some similarities with how you have to be with attitude and stuff, but Reyno is the mastermind around our attack at the moment.”
Crow
Roar Pro
An article like yours certainly inspires comments from all walks. Some responders have a solid grip and some are the 2 cent minority. Walters will not walk. He is committed and despite the noise is doing a good job. Let’s remember he too is responsible to the board and to some extent the members and fans. If he does not drive the players to a finals berth then and only then (at the end of his contract), can he be considered to be replaced. In the interim, he is head coach of the Brisbane broncos.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Is it just me or does he have the most smug grin you've ever seen. He thinks he's all that and a bag of chips. A smiling fool
andrew
Roar Rookie
I think the players would have too much respect for Bellamy.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Not sure what 80% of the data you say is being ignored. You only appear to be looking at his win/loss rate. He’s coached 116 games and 40% of them have been with the Broncos, including the 47 most recent games. In any case, looking at pure win rate on its own is a very poor way to judge the performance of a coach. The results have to take into account factors such as the strength of the playing roster, the draw and injury list. Taking into account what Walters had to work with when he took over (a rabble), he’s done very well. No serious analysts had the Broncos making the 8 last year.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Could be worse. Could be mentored by Sharon at the dragons
andrew
Roar Rookie
They wouldn't dare Tony.
Womblat
Guest
You're ignoring 80% of the data. I can see explaining mediocre is wasted on some, who rely on excuses. No surprise given these days kids are getting certificates for showing up, trophies for spelling their names right and "get out of jail free" cards for someone glaring at them 20 years ago. In business, in money, in sport, in life, if you lose, you fail. That's... it. I'd sugar coat it but someone would probably eat it and then blame diabetes.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Doubt it. The interview was 2mths on from mad Monday.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Whether this puts Cobbo on the outer or not, surely the real proof of the pudding will be if what he said is correct. If the youngest says he has no idea, what must the older brigade think ?
Tony
Roar Guru
There's a lot of entitled and over paid players in the game these days Nico
Bonza
Roar Rookie
All Kevvy has to do is chuckle and say, "He's not the best player either, so no worries" and all will be forgotten. Possibly.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
What would an average coach with a 55% winning record (pretty good for the NRL), be expected to achieve in 2 seasons with a wooden spoon team? 30% would be considered a decent result. Walters got them to the cusp of the finals. He was a contender for coach of the year.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Spot on, and the latest revelation that he walked out at halftime during the Broncos' hiding from Parra also speaks of a huge lack of self awareness and entitlement given he was supposed to be getting rested due to his "big season". Even I went to the game and sat through the whole ordeal
Tony
Roar Guru
I wonder if any Melbourne players are considering a similar statement about Bellamy?
Tony
Roar Guru
And whether it moves
souvalis
Roar Rookie
We’ll see how strong a line in the sand really is.
Don
Roar Rookie
Most of the senior pros in the side probably think Kev can’t coach as well. :laughing: Then again, only Reynolds, Capewell and Jensen, maybe Oates, could be classed as senior pros. Carrigan aside, there’s very few Bronco’s developed guys there who you’d consider a leader. Maybe they’ll be thanking Cobbo for saying it when they struggle and the pressure is back on and the focus turns to Kev as the problem.
Womblat
Guest
That's only the Broncos and only two seasons worth. Look harder. And only to a true gray-man would 43% equal "impressive".
Lionel Hutz
Roar Rookie
Yes Matt, when clubs talk about the Leadership Group, this what they should be taking care of. Guiding the younger guys. What form that guidance takes is up to them.
Adam
Roar Guru
I'm not arguing against your thesis. But that would mean we get what, 7 new coaches each and every year? He had a 54% win record last year anyway. So, must be safe as houses?