Skipper confirms ‘anonymous’ review that cost Walters

Reports have emerged Brisbane players were not interviewed in-person as part of a club review that led to Kevin Walters being sacked as coach.
Club legend Walters was dumped last week after missing NRL finals for a third time in four years.
The Broncos went within a few minutes of winning last year’s premiership – ultimately being run down by Nathan Cleary’s Penrith – but 12 months later the coach was axed despite being handed a contract extension in March.
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Brisbane embarked on a review following the dismal 2024 campaign and CEO Dave Donaghy announced the major finding was a change in coach was needed.
But reports have now emerged the review may not have been as comprehensive as the public was led to believe.
Sacked coach Kevin Walters and CEO Dave Donaghy speak to the media. Getty
Most AFL clubs conduct annual exit interviews where every player sits down with the coach, or club hierarchy, to discuss every aspect of the season.
Nine’s Danny Weidler says Broncos players weren’t even called into club headquarters.
“I got some mail late in the week, is that the way this review was done was players signing in via QR codes and (they) did some sort of review or survey on their devices and that way, it was kept anonymous,” Weidler told Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast.
“I’ve actually confirmed this as I have very good sources on it and I’ve gone to the club on it, messaging their CEO Dave Donaghy alluding to it and I’ve heard nothing back.
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“I’m happy to hear what they say and if it’s not correct, that’s fine, but that’s exactly what I’ve been told and told by very good sources.”
Queensland cricket legend Ian Healy doubled down on that rumour.
Healy told his SEN breakfast radio program he believes players filled in an online survey, the results of which the club used to help sack Walters.
Wide World of Sports contacted the Broncos but the club opted not to comment.
Donaghy and Walters last week told media the two parties came to a mutual agreement that it was time for change.
Reports have suggested a number of players wanted Walters gone and while veteran halfback Adam Reynolds isn’t one of them, he did confirm certain aspects of the review.
“It was pretty much everyone for that internal review,” he told Triple M’s The Rush Hour.
“It was pretty much anonymous, I don’t know what anyone said. I was a big supporter of Kev, I liked his coaching style and I played some of my best football underneath him.”
The Broncos on Tuesday announced Michael Maguire as the new coach on a three-year deal.