The sacked coach was invited to the presentation night, but decided to stay away.
Kevin Walters was a glaring absentee at the Brisbane Broncos’ presentation night as the former coach and wife Narelle opted to stay away from the event. The Broncos held their annual awards night on Thursday, with Patrick Carrigan winning the prestigious Paul Morgan Medal as the club’s player of the year.
But Walters wasn’t there to see it, with the sacked coach declining an invitation to attend. Even though he was sacked after four years in charge, Walters has been retained in an ‘ambassador’ role at the club and officials had been hoping he would attend.
Walters and wife Narelle had been regulars at the event over the last four years, and last year the coach was front and centre as he presented a number of awards and gave an emotional speech. Club officials insist there’s no bad blood, but Walters’ absence on Thursday night showed he’s not yet ready to return and face the players.
Walters’ sacking came after the club commissioned an independent review into their disappointing season, which saw them plummet from grand finalists in 2023 to 12th on the ladder in 2024. Players gave some not-so positive feedback about Walters’ coaching, and the review caused big concerns to the club’s hierarchy.
Speaking on SEN radio on Friday morning, veteran media man Pat Welsh said there was an “air of sadness” at the gala event due to Walters’ sacking and the club’s woeful season. Broncos great Corey Parker said it would have been “difficult” for Walters to attend, but suggested he maybe should have considering there was a celebration for Corey Oates’ retirement.
Patrick Carrigan named Broncos player of the year
Michael Maguire has since taken over as Broncos coach, although he also wasn’t at Thursday night’s event out of respect to Walters. It marked the first time in the club’s history that a coach wasn’t in attendance for the annual presentation night.
Carrigan’s Paul Morgan Medal triumph ended a five-year streak of Payne Haas winning the prestigious award. The back-rower was a rare shining light in a season from hell for the Broncos, which was marred by injuries to big-name stars like Haas and Reece Walsh.
Carrigan won with 86 votes from Broncos coaches and fellow players, ahead of Selwyn Cobbo (50), Kotoni Staggs (48), Haas (32), Walsh (26), Corey Jensen (23) and Kobe Hetherington (22). Carrigan was also named best forward of the year, while Staggs won best back and Blake Mozer was named rookie of the year.
Darren Lockyer reveals why Kevin Walters was sacked
Speaking earlier this week, Broncos legend and board member Darren Lockyer opened up on why the club decided to part ways with Walters. Lockyer said the club’s hierarchy were “alarmed” at how far they had fallen in just 12 months, which they felt was “not acceptable” considering their star-studded roster.
“’Kevvie’ is a great bloke and that’s what makes it so difficult,” Lockyer told the Courier Mail. “It’s not pleasant at all when you have to move on a legend of the game. He was also five minutes away from winning the grand final last year if it wasn’t for Nathan Cleary. This year at the back end of the year the team fell away significantly. The call was made based on the playing talent that is there at the Broncos, which there is plenty of.”
In announcing the news that he was departing last month, Walters revealed the toll the job and scrutiny had taken on his family. “Aside from playing here, it’s been the greatest thrill and honour of my life to have coached the Broncos,” he said. “Coaching in the NRL takes a toll, not just on the coach but also their family.
“It’s time for me to step away and spend some quality time with my loved ones, who have supported me all the way over the last four years. I’m grateful to the club for providing me with the opportunity to be head coach, and we have come a long way from the wooden spoon to last year’s run to the grand final. I wish the team and the club all the best.”
