Selwyn Cobbo’s comments during an October podcast in regards to the coaching credentials of Broncos mentor Kevin Walters cannot be underestimated.
Despite the player’s subsequent and pathetic back-tracking and comically weak reasoning as to why he made them in the first place, the venom contained in his comments and the obvious ramifications for a coach ‘on watch’ entering the 2023 season are clear.
Walters appears to have question marks from within regarding his abilities as a coach.
At least two players in Brisbane’s 2022 squad were unconvinced that he is the man to lead the team to a new period of success and the failure of the club to discipline Cobbo in the immediate term says all we need to know about the tenuous position in which the coach now finds himself.
Frankly, Walters should walk immediately from his position as head coach of the Brisbane Broncos with dignity and pride intact.
Selwyn Cobbo scores for the PM’s XIII (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Tyson Gamble’s swipe at Walters towards the end of the 2022 season, where he insinuated that halfback Adam Reynolds was somehow more responsible for any success the team was enjoying – before departing the club for a new home in Newcastle – was sour grapes at best and nasty at worst.
Now, Cobbo’s comments suggest something of a pattern of thinking within the playing group and potentially provide an explanation as to the dramatic inconsistency of the Broncos across the course of last season.
Anyone believing that the two sets of comments have come without discussion and consultation with other members of the squad is naïve.
Neither Cobbo nor Gamble appear to have the nous to develop such clear criticisms of the coach on their own, nor are likely to have the courage to take a stance diametrically opposed to those held by other players.
In short, if Gamble and Cobbo’s teammates were all-in on the coaching theories and style of Walters, why on earth would they mount such offensive and stunning attacks against him; attacks destined to paint them poorly in the broader rugby league community?
More likely is a scenario where general discontent reigned in Bronco-land, with 2022 form further suggesting that be the case, and the two players in question the only ones silly enough to publicise the either warranted or unwarranted dissatisfaction with Walters.
Tyson Gamble. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Something is rotten in the state of Red Hill and the club’s inaction when it comes to Cobbo appears to subsequently permit members of a first-grade squad to openly criticise the style and efficiency of their coach.
Cobbo should have been disciplined, firmly and immediately, and forcefully informed it does not matter what he thinks of the coach, his tactics or his approach. As a player paid well to represent the club, a united front is required at all times and his personal views or grievances are not to be aired publicly.
Who knows exactly what has been said behind closed doors over the past few days – perhaps Cobbo has received the bollocking from club officials that he well and truly deserves.
However, the subsequent statement, citing context and poor comedy as reasons for a situation in which Cobbo claims to have been completely misunderstood, does not appear to be in step with a player full of remorse and embarrassed by his comments.
Kevin Walters (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Instead, Walters is the one likely to be feeling completely embarrassed, the club apparently keener to patch things over and set him up for another season of failure, rather than dress down a member of the playing squad who appears to have little understanding of the concept of club.
My mind drifts back to Trent Barrett’s final days at Canterbury, with Phil Gould, the players and extended staff all backing the failing coach until he was rightfully shown the door.
The writing was on the wall and the players were far from happy, yet no one broke ranks and knifed the coach, despite the most appalling of on-field performances.
The Broncos begin season 2023 from a higher base than the Dogs, having missed the finals narrowly and possessing a playing roster capable of doing so this time around.
Yet Walters is not the man to see the season out, no matter his skills, attributes or chances of doing so.
For his own sense of dignity and self-preservation, with the writing on the wall based on obvious questioning by the players and a club reluctant to back him as firmly as they should, Walters should take his clipboard and walk out the door.
On the way out, he should also let the Broncos know exactly what a laughing stock they seem.
Crow
Roar Pro
Perfect reply
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yeah what would Kevvie know about success? he's only won what - 6 premierships, World Club Challenge winner, RLWC winner, represented his country, state & club as a player, success at SOO as a coach. Now let's compare his record to that of the current playing group!
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.
Titanic
Roar Rookie
Bennett and his Stupid League provided the first chinks in the demise of Broncos leadership. Once corporate became more important that the camaraderie that rugby league clubs are built on then it was only a matter of time. The influences of the likes of Cyril Connell and Paul Bunn shouldn’t be overlooked either. As an old West Panther I don’t have much love for the Dolphins either.
Rob
Guest
I can’t imagine a coach is going to succeed without the belief/ respect of his players. With today’s opinion driven society the media is driven by magnifying anyone’s opinion they feel clickable. The Broncos are a very clickable market. A young, aboriginal, potential star player is also clickable. Good luck Kevin you have inherited a bunch of young players that read an hear a lot of opinions in a media world driven by clicks.
Justin
Guest
Sorry, should have read. That was ‘nothing’ to do with the coaching criticism.
Justin
Guest
The Broncos are one club who could go fully into the ‘build from within’ way of producing a top 30 squad. They have shown so many times over , how they can bring in some unknown backs & forwards. That prove to be top notch players. Do they need to buy in your Reynolds, Capewell , James’s ? Not really. Just make sure that they keep someone like Sam Walker. It was understandable why Hunt may have wanted out , after that GF. It’s not the quickest way towards achieving GF glory again . Still the way they should go. That was to do with the coaching criticism. However, Walters has done a job improving the clubs win/ loss record. Those in the front office need to tell the playing group to shut their mouth regarding anything negative to do with their club. Or take a walk, as they’re not the players they want there.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Maybe Cobbo is part of their recruitment plans
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure that it’s indicative of anything. 2 years at Ipswich probably just means that he got a better offer elsewhere. There are about 50 coaching gigs in the NRL that are a step up from that gig career wise. He’s an Ipswich old boy and a legend of the game. He could probably have kept that job for ever if he wanted. 2 years at Catalans could either be because he just didn’t want to stay in France long term or because he wasn’t very successful. It’s not like he was sacked. Origin just isn’t comparable to club football. He ended up with a 50% win rate with probably a weaker squad during his time in charge, so maybe that’s a positive?
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Cobbo's a Yobbo. Walters should invite him to be successful somewhere else at whatever else.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
And now we have that flog CEO from West's putting his 2 bobs worth in . He needs to focus on getting off the bottom of the ladder and stop worrying about what Cobbo said .
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Nah, you’re a knuckle..
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Maybe look in the mirror, pal. An insulting post that fails to make a substantial point is the embarrassment. And of course you use a guest account to avoid accountability for your posts.
PaulC
Guest
Thomas, a bit early to be putting the boot into Walters. How about you give him & other Coaches a few rounds before you swing the axe? The Broncos again have a very tough draw for a team that didn't reach the top 8? In the "Off Season" sports writers (Rugby league) have a lot of time on their hands and seem to come up with the same headings to their "stories" each year like X Coach under the axe. Kev Walters has done a very good job with the "Cattle" he inherited and the Broncos I hope will be in the top 8 at the end of the season.
Womblat
Guest
Not at all, it just illustrates your arrogance perfectly. And that was before your next post. :laughing:
EagleWal
Roar Rookie
I know we live in the time of social media but... the big thing missing here is not whether Kevvie can't coach or is losing the support of the players etc.... What is missing is PLAYER leadership! Ask Laurie Daley if he would have spoken out of school when Mal was captain. 25 years on he still provides Mal the greatest respect. We could all probably name 50 other leaders of clubs that are held in the same regard.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
It's my opinion that no individual player should make comments regarding the team culture, results, summaries or coaching towards the media or press A dedicated individual should be appointed for releases ie the captain or a member of the administration and not anyone player with an advantage to mouth off , obviously i am referring to the Broncos The coach and captain are obligated to give a a post match interview , the others are '' no comment '' Get some discipline BRONCOS
Adam
Roar Guru
Undoubtedly both. He won't be shown the door. But his stocks aren't as high as he might think...
Nico
Roar Rookie
Broncos still managed a 13-11 W/L record. Any other season that would've been enough for finals footy, in '21 it would've got them as far as 7th ahead of the Titans who were 10 and 14. Then the conversation is suddenly that Walters got the job done and actually knows a thing or two about coaching. Bit of perspective needed around this
Jock
Guest
Walters is a good coach. Cobbo is a good player. Whether they go beyond that remains to be seen. Both could be exceptional. Each is experiencing a pretty similar NRL learning curve. Cobbo is young and not media-savvy. The Broncos achilles heel these days is their media exposure. It inspires teams to beat them and has at times created division within or too much self-obsession by their players. As a supporter, I've regular craved the Storm/Panthers limelight, where they can quietly go about achieving dynasties. Anyway, sigh...On with the latest show.