Brisbane Broncos poised for major Kevin Walters move

The Brisbane Broncos are reportedly on the verge of offering head coach Kevin Walters a long-term extension, despite the team's fade-out in the second half of last season. Walters took over from Anthony Seibold following his disastrous turn in charge of the NRL powerhouse for the 2021 season, with the Broncos finishing ninth last year.

According to the Courier Mail, the Broncos are close to finalising a two-year extension of Walters' contract that will see him remain in Red Hill until 2025. Off-contract at the end of the 2023 season, the former Queensland coach was rumoured to be on the hot-seat after last season's disappointment.

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However it would appear the Broncos are willing to show more faith in the coach, with last season still representing a marked improvement from the season before. The announcement is expected to be made prior to the Broncos' trial match against New Zealand next week.

Walters' extension could reportedly earn up up to $1 million should he manage to steer the Broncos to NRL premiership success. However he was keen to play down talk of his own extension and focus on the season ahead.

“I’m really happy here,” Walters said. “I don’t want to comment too much because we’re in discussions now, but we’ll wait and see what happens.

“It’s good if the Broncos are talking like that (regarding his extension), but we’ll see what the end result is. It’s my dream job...I wake up every day and pinch myself that I’m in this role.”

In the meantime, Walters has given his spine players a straight message about the need to get their defensive houses in order ahead of the baptism of fire that awaits them. The NRL draw did the Broncos a favour by slating them to play defending premiers Penrith and last year's top-four side North Queensland first up this season, when any deficiencies will be ruthlessly exposed.

As a result Walters has named his strongest spine combination, apart from skipper Adam Reynolds, in the opening NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash with the Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday night.

Broncos defensive improvement key for Kevin Walters

Brisbane conceded 550 points last season, the fourth worst defensive display in their history. For all the improvements they made in 2022 those numbers were unacceptable. A repeat of that this year will result in the Broncos missing the finals again.

Walters knows fullback Reece Walsh and five-eighth Ezra Mam can attack, but against the Titans it is their defensive display that he will scrutinise the most.

"I just want Reece to be Reece. He is very good in attack but defensively there are some areas where Reece needs to do some work. That starts tomorrow night," Walters said after training on Saturday.

Mam had an excellent breakout season overall in 2022 but missed 18 tackles in two big losses to Parramatta and Melbourne towards the end of the year. He has put on six kilograms this pre-season to assist him in his defensive resolve.

"It wasn't just Ezra that got exposed. That was last year. Ezra has worked really hard on his defence and understands the role he has to play there," Walters said.

"He has put on weight with our performance team and that will help him defensively. We have got a lot of confidence in Ezra in the way he plays."

Mam's main challenger for the spot is former Wests Tigers playmaker Jock Madden, who has a hamstring injury. Walters said Madden should be available the following week against the Cowboys.

with AAP

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