Broncos hooker Billy Walters has slammed questions about whether his father, coach Kevin Walters, can salvage the glamour club’s fall from grace, labelling those who have called for his head “fake fans”.
What was meant to be a return to Brisbane’s glory days following last year’s grand final charge has become a fight to remain in finals contention, with even an unbeaten run in the season’s last three weeks not guaranteeing a top-eight berth.
To squeeze into eighth, the Broncos would need both the Dolphins and Dragons to lose twice.
Brisbane have won twice in their past 10 outings, triggering suggestions Walters senior could be on borrowed time if the side misses the finals for the third year under his tutelage.
But Billy Walters was quick to dismiss the notion.
“It’s pretty red-hot from a few, I suppose, fake fans to say Kevvie’s not the right man for the job,” Walters said.
“He took this team from a wooden spoon to within five minutes of a [premiership].
“He’s definitely the most passionate Broncos man going around, and he knows how to win. It’s definitely been on the players this year, not Kev, that the results have not come.
“There’s always the excuse of injuries, but a lot of teams have had a lot of injuries this year, and they’ve still managed to pull out wins. Missing finals is a bad year for anyone.”
Brisbane’s path to the finals relaunches against Parramatta on Friday night.
Among the sidelined players will be prop Payne Haas (Lisfranc), fullback Reece Walsh (hand) and five-eighth Ezra Mam (syndesmosis), with Haas and Walsh not expected back until the final-round clash against Melbourne.
However, Selwyn Cobbo will make his comeback on the wing.
Who becomes Brisbane’s enforcer in Haas’ absence could decide their prospects, putting a returning Ben Te Kura in line for a shock recall.
The one-game rookie made his Queensland Cup comeback from what was thought to be a season-ending Lisfranc injury for Souths Logan on Saturday, scoring a try and running for 111 metres.
Standing at 205 centimetres and weighing 122 kilograms, the 20-year-old could be a key injection of size. He has been selected as 18th man, as he was in the win over the Cowboys, however Walters was sceptical on whether he would garner a call-up.
“He’s still probably trying to get some game fitness in. He’s had a pretty long-term injury, and it’s full credit to Benny,” Walters said.
“I think he was meant to miss the rest of this year, and he’s come back pretty early and was pretty good in his first game back.
“He’ll just get better every week the more match time he plays, and he’s definitely handy back up to have if we do need to call on him.”
