Bennett slams Broncos door on Walters

[Super Freak]

KEVIN Walters has been left shocked at the collapse of his Broncos return after Wayne Bennett sensationally backflipped on plans to bring the Maroons coach back to Red Hill.

Breaking his silence with The Sunday Mail, Walters said he will focus on his Queensland Origin duties after being blindsided by Bennett for the second time in his career.

“It hasn’t worked out so that’s OK, I’ll get on with it,” Walters said.

Bennett privately agreed to Walters returning in a consultancy role two weeks ago after the Maroons coach offered to help haul Brisbane out of their mid-season slump.

Broncos stars were so excited about the return of Walters, who was Bennett’s right-hand man last season, that several players called to congratulate him.

Walters was due to start last Monday, but was left stunned when he received a phone call from Bennett saying his services were no longer required.

The unexpected call came just days after The Courier-Mail reported last Friday week that Walters would be returning to Red Hill to help mentor misfiring halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford.

Walters said he was looking forward to working with Broncos players but has copped Bennett’s decision on the chin.

“I don’t want to be critical of anyone because that’s not what I’m about,” he said. “The issue is dead now, it (returning to the Broncos) would have been manageable but it’s not going to happen.

“I love coaching and it would have been great to help. The Broncos have a few players who are in the Origin set-up so it would have been nice to get in there and see what they are doing.

“I have a lot of time for Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford but Wayne already has some good assistants on board. Steve Kearney is there, they were fine earlier in the season, so they just have to get themselves back on track in the next few weeks and they can still do some damage.

“If they can sneak into the finals, it’s anyone’s game.”

The Bennett-Walters alliance has a turbulent narrative. In 2005, Bennett dropped a bombshell when he sacked his then assistants Walters, Glenn Lazarus and Gary Belcher to bring fresh ideas to Red Hill.

The move paid off with Brisbane winning the premiership the following season. Bennett urged Walters to broaden his coaching skill-set and after stints in France and Melbourne, the champion pivot returned to Brisbane with the support of the super coach last season.

Walters wasn’t planning to be at Red Hill this year, but when Brisbane crashed during the Origin season, losing seven of nine games, he offered to help Bennett.

It is understood Bennett was open to the idea, subject to final approval from the Queensland Rugby League. Walters alerted the QRL, saying he would be keen to help the Broncos if it did not impact on his contractual duties with the organisation.

But the QRL never received a call from Broncos bosses as Bennett went cold on the move.

Bennett, who advised Walters to take a 12-month break from the Broncos to focus on his Origin role, confirmed the Maroons coach won’t be seen at Red Hill in the run to the finals.

“Kevin won’t be coming back,” he said.

Asked if they held talks, Bennett said: “Look, it’s media speculation again and I’m just over it. I don’t want to buy into it and make another headline so I’ll leave it at that.

“Kevin won’t be here.”

Walters was due to return to the Broncos next season but that may not eventuate.

“It depends on Wayne and the Broncos,” he said. “They are in a situation at the moment where they feel they can manage things which is fine, I respect that.

“I’ve loved coaching Queensland so I’ll get on with my media duties and my work for the QRL.”

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[Jason Simmons]

Anyone get the feeling that Wayne may be slightly miffed that anyone thinks his coaching isn't up to scratch and therefore doesn't 'need' help?

 

[tommy]

Walters is still brand new in the Origin head coach role. If anything I get the feeling he is covering Walters' back. Imagine the uproar if Walters comes back but then loses the next Origin series. Maybe Bennett is doing what is best for Walters and not for us.

 

[rnabokov]

Anyone get the feeling that Wayne may be slightly miffed that anyone thinks his coaching isn't up to scratch and therefore doesn't 'need' help?

Wayne? Miffed? Nah, no way ...


Team by Team Preview: 1st - Brisbane Broncos

http://www.zerotackle.com/team-by-team-preview-1st-brisbane-broncos-20233/#dvYFxeCRU4ogF5OB.97

"Throw in Wayne Bennett and the drive given to them by falling short last season and I simply can’t see any side matching the Broncos across the season.
Anything less than a premiership will be underachieving for this ridiculously talented quad."

 

[Huge]

Actually, it was probably never on and no coach would want a saviour mid season, not even a coach who has never tasted success and coached for years. It would be the death knell for any career. It was mooted, all agreed while WB probably never said a word and people wrote what they wrote with conjecture the currency. WB sure as hell doesn't need Walters, the Broncos didn't suddenly lose ability, the group lost cohesion as some lost their way and only they can regain that focus by talking and bonding and playing as one for the greater good.

They have taken a step in that direction and I'm totally confident that we will turn up next game and really catch fire. I think they're back and not because of our narrow victory over St George as I thought this way before the game.

 

[winslow_wong]

Our halves definitely need as much guidance and tutoring as they can get. Hopefully locky and alfy can do the job this year.

 

[Kimlo]

Actually, it was probably never on and no coach would want a saviour mid season, not even a coach who has never tasted success and coached for years. It would be the death knell for any career. It was mooted, all agreed while WB probably never said a word and people wrote what they wrote with conjecture the currency. WB sure as hell doesn't need Walters, the Broncos didn't suddenly lose ability, the group lost cohesion as some lost their way and only they can regain that focus by talking and bonding and playing as one for the greater good.

They have taken a step in that direction and I'm totally confident that we will turn up next game and really catch fire. I think they're back and not because of our narrow victory over St George as I thought this way before the game.

Well put, this is pretty much exactly how I view the situation.

It's an insult to even suggest Walters is the difference between last year and this year, the problems we've faced a far greater than one member of the coaching staff no longer being there.

Injuries, origin period, players playing out of position, losing and the loss of confidence that comes with that, other teams working out our game plan. There's plenty of reasons why, not that it really matters now, all that does matter is the team turns it around and proves to itself, and the rest of the competition that they are worthy competitors.

 

[Super Freak]

Well put, this is pretty much exactly how I view the situation.

It's an insult to even suggest Walters is the difference between last year and this year, the problems we've faced a far greater than one member of the coaching staff no longer being there.

Injuries, origin period, players playing out of position, losing and the loss of confidence that comes with that, other teams working out our game plan. There's plenty of reasons why, not that it really matters now, all that does matter is the team turns it around and proves to itself, and the rest of the competition that they are worthy competitors.

If there is one problem I have with the whole situation, it's the players reaction to the news that he was coming back. It's more the way they said it.

For example, you could tell from Hunt's comments that it would have been a big shot in the arm for him. Just the presence of Walters would have given him that boost.

The way he said it, it's almost like he doesn't believe he can do it on his own. That is a bit of a red flag to me.

 

[animal eater]

Love him or hate him...the one thing that is undeniable is that Wayne's ego dwarfs any ego in the Broncos organization. Players included.

 

[Morkel]

Actually, it was probably never on and no coach would want a saviour mid season, not even a coach who has never tasted success and coached for years. It would be the death knell for any career. It was mooted, all agreed while WB probably never said a word and people wrote what they wrote with conjecture the currency. WB sure as hell doesn't need Walters, the Broncos didn't suddenly lose ability, the group lost cohesion as some lost their way and only they can regain that focus by talking and bonding and playing as one for the greater good.

They have taken a step in that direction and I'm totally confident that we will turn up next game and really catch fire. I think they're back and not because of our narrow victory over St George as I thought this way before the game.

Pretty much this. Walters himself, during the midst of this "he'll be back on Monday", confirmed himself that it was not the case and discussions were low-key and on-going.

The article smacks of the Courier Mail trying to blame Bennett on a backflip instead of them being flat wrong.

 

[abashii]

Pretty much this. Walters himself, during the midst of this "he'll be back on Monday", confirmed himself that it was not the case and discussions were low-key and on-going.

The article smacks of the Courier Mail trying to blame Bennett on a backflip instead of them being flat wrong.

Half-truths and spin used to whip up a story? It can't be, this is a News Ltd publication.

 

[Browny]

Maybe Bennett figures it's time the halves sorted their shit out and ran the team. Taking away the safety blanket so to speak

 

[Number6]

Walters would have been nice but why is it necessary we have two of the greatest halves of the modern era on the payroll to teach ours. Is it ego, hubris or just plain stupidity?

Sometimes when people get older they get cognitively inflexible and can't adapt and create as well. Also get stuck in their own mind without perspective. Some fresh ideas would help Red Hill guided by Wayne's experience.

Agree need a good general attacking coach. I still reckon give the Walkers a shot. Let Wayne oversee and man manage but philosophy of defence only sucks the joy out of it for fans and players. Puts too much pressure on defence if you don't score at all. I agree defence wins matches usually but look at the Dragons.

 

[Porthoz]

Tallis with another sniper attack on Bennett... :laugh:

Must say I can't help but think he may be on the money here.

‘I don’t know what goes through Wayne’s head’

Alexander Blair, news.com.au
August 8, 2016 4:35pm


FORMER NRL great Gorden Tallis has slammed Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett for putting his personal pride over the success of the club.


His comments came after Bennett backflipped on his decision to bring back Maroons coach Kevin Walters to assist the Broncos halves.


“It’s always got to be on his terms,” Tallis told Triple M’s Brisbane with Marto & Ed Kavalee.


Tallis agreed Bennett hated being “one-upped” by the media, and suggested the coach’s decision was made to only benefit himself.


“Put it in terms of business, if you’ve got a 2IC (second in charge) or you’ve got a CEO that makes you a lot of money and does a lot of great deals,” Tallis began.


“And you were one meeting away from getting the deal of a lifetime and then he leaves you and all of a sudden you’re not getting the same deals done and you’re not making the same money, you’d get him back if he’s there in the office you know, and use his service’s wouldn’t you?”




Tallis slammed Bennett for turning his back on Kevin Walters.
“I just don’t know what goes through Wayne’s head sometimes, but is he protecting his job?


“I know that all the players rang and congratulated Kevvy and were so looking forward to getting him back there so you know maybe Wayne’s thinking, ‘Maybe not.’”


Tallis went on to question if Bennett was really in it to win it, suggesting a severe lack of good old common sense.


“It would make common sense for me for Kevvy to go back, if he’s good enough to work with Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, I think he’s good enough to work with (Anthony) Milford and (Ben) Hunt.”


The Broncos halves have copped a beating this season for their lacklustre kicking performance despite sitting comfortably in the top eight.


“They’ve still got a lot of work to do and I think Kevvy Walters could actually help that,” Tallis said.


Ben Hunt has slipped up a few times this season.
Walters told the Courier Mail on Saturday that he’d accepted the decision and was ready to move on.


“It hasn’t worked out so that’s OK, I’ll get on with it,” he said.


“I don’t want to be critical of anyone because that’s not what I’m about,” he said.


“The issue is dead now, it (returning to the Broncos) would have been manageable but it’s not going to happen.”


The Broncos return to Suncorp Stadium on Friday for their round 23 clash against the Eels.

No Cookies | The Courier Mail

 

[Super Freak]

Kevvie's comments after it happened, it sounded like he was genuinely disappointed. That he was expecting to come back.

I don't know what's going on there, but if our success relies on one individual, then perhaps this team isn't ready.

 

[Alec]

Was he our attacking coach last year? Because it changed a lot. Our attack last year was some of the most exciting we've ever had.

 

[Super Freak]

Was he our attacking coach last year? Because it changed a lot. Our attack last year was some of the most exciting we've ever had.

I think he was an assistant coach but did extra work with Hunt and Milford.

 

[Kaz]

Milford & Hunt shouldn't have to rely on Walters to hold their hands.

They should be able to try & sort out their own shit by themselves.

Also the Maroons job is fulltime.

Walters signed a three-year, full-time contract with the QRL which will require him to step down from the Broncos assistant coaching role for 2016.

No Cookies | The Courier Mail

So Walters couldn't come back.