Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has made a surprise admission following the sacking of the Broncos’ head coach Kevin Walters.
It was announced on Thursday that the 56-year-old, who won five premierships with the Broncos as a player, would be leaving his role at the club following a review into the team’s poor form in 2024, finishing 12th.
Walters’ contract was due to expire in 2026, having already spent four years at the club. Brisbane are due to begin their search for a new head coach immediately.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Walters’ exit was made by ‘mutual consent’ with the Brisbane legend stating that it had been ‘the greatest thrill and honour’ to have taken charge of the team.
But it appears players were kept in the dark over his sacking, with Reynolds telling the outlet that his team were clambering to ‘find out what’s going on’.
‘We were as surprised as anyone when the news broke – we still haven’t heard anything official,’ Reynolds told the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday.
‘Kevvie is one of the main reasons I came to the club. I’m naturally disappointed. I have a lot of respect for him. I don’t know what else to say until the club communicates with us.
‘We’re all trying to find out what’s going on. He’s a great coach and I love his coaching style. It’s been a tough year. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.
Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds (pictured) has made a surprise admission following the sacking of the Broncos’ head coach Kevin Walters
Kevin Walters parted company with the Broncos on Thursday after four years at the club
He added: ‘I’ve tried reaching out to Kev. I feel for him.’
Walters, a Broncos legend, was the club’s third-longest-serving coach in history.
He coached 99 NRL games, notably taking over from Anthony Seibold in 2021, before taking the club from rock bottom of the ladder to premiership runners-up in 2023.
Earlier on Thursday, Walters issued a statement on his departure via the club’s website, writing: ‘Aside from playing here, it’s been the greatest thrill and honour of my life to have coached the Broncos.
‘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.
Reynolds (left) stated that members of the playing cohort had been left in the dark over Walters’ (right) sacking
Walters (centre), a Broncos legend, coached 99 NRL games with the side, having won five premierships with the club as a player
‘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.’
