BTW I backed the appointment of Kevie 100% I backed him after the 2022 burnout. I backed him after the GF. I backed him thru the middle of the season dropsies.
But that run from Bulldogs to Storm to finish the season was pretty telling.
Yes, it's also on the players on the pitch but he was thoroughly out-coached and TBH got lucky against the Eels. Cowboys game showed some promise then it all came crashing down.
All year : 10 min fadeouts; poor edge defence; horrendous yardage game from the backs; failure of the next-man-up (in multiple positions); lack of effective plays; and general apathy in the team.
I'll back Kevie with new assistants and some signings (and players on the pitch) but I fear we are about to sacrifice 2025.
I thought the responses were a little stiff as well. I wouldn't take it too personally, everyone's just frustrated with the way the season has played out and this is a topic that's been talked about to death. It seemed like time vindicated Kevie's decision and this is only being dredged up now to sling more mud.
Even Kevie has admitted his short-comings during that period. However in his defence, the club was virtually in a holding pattern waiting for Donaghy to join. If you can recall, Dave was caught up in a legal battle with Melbourne who didn't want to play ball.
In addition to that, we've since learned that the deal with the Warriors was virtually done shortly after the Wynnum trial. They had just lost Tuivasa-Sheck, so they came in strong with a big offer and Walsh jumped on board.
Walsh should never have been available. The NRL has a ridiculous transfer system where clubs can make these ludicrous offers and one way or another a club is sending themselves broke paying for potential. The Broncos had to get ahead of themselves and get the deal done in 2020, but with everything that happened, they just weren't in a position to offer an extension.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so if you think despite all this he should have still been there Round 1 that's fine. I thought Kev was made to look silly when he lost Walsh because he was being responsible, but he had to bend over backwards to keep Piakura.
In general, I don't hold 2021 against Walters. In releasing Bird, McCullough, Ofahengaue, Lodge, Dearden, Walsh, Pangai Jr etc. the Broncos were effectively giving up a 1/3 of their cap. Considering Carrigan went down early to an ACL and Staggs barely played after tearing his ACL late in 2020 it's difficult to field a team.
As disappointing as the finish was to 2022, I'd still take a 13-11 season and finishing 9th over a 11-12-1 season and finishing 8th only to get smashed regardless. With Walsh on the horizon the club was heading in the right direction.
However the signs were never great for 2024. Losing Robati, Oloapu, Farnworth, Flegler, Plath, Palasia, Capewell etc. it always seemed like the club was going to go backwards. So much of the season hinged on Cobbo and Piakura taking off, and Piakura suffered his first head-knock within the first ten minutes so it seemed like it was going to be one of those years.
Sadly they're not looking all that great for 2025 either.
