Broncos star Billy Walters has lifted the lid on how he learned that his dad was sacked as the coach of Brisbane and has lifted the lid over his future at the club.
The Broncos severed ties with their coach last month following a club-wide review into the team’s shocking downfall in the 2024 season, in which they finished 12th.
Walters was given his marching orders, with the club terminating his contract that was due to expire in 2026.
‘I was at home cooking dinner when my younger brother who lives with dad messaged me and said that Kev had gone in for a meeting and he might be gone,’ Billy told News Corp.
‘I didn’t believe it at first. I didn’t think there was any way it would go down like that.
‘I thought my brother was overreacting and maybe dad wouldn’t get sacked but would get a stern warning. When I did get word, there were so many thoughts going through my mind.
‘What was he doing to do? What was I going to do?’
Hooker Billy Walters (pictured) says he couldn’t believe the news that his dad had been axed
Kevin Walters was sacked by the Brisbane Broncos following a poor 2024 season
‘You’re obviously emotional.
‘I tried to call him and see if he was all right but he didn’t answer. I didn’t get to speak to him until the next day.’
Walters admitted that the 2024 NRL season was one to forget – but it wasn’t fair that his dad got the full blame.
‘It will always sound biased because I am his son but I don’t think Kevvie was the reason for that,’ Walters said.
‘The year we made the grand final we had 95 per cent of our squad have their best year and we had a great run with injuries. Even little things like 50/50 calls went our way.
Walters says he is keen to perform for new coach Michael Maguire in 2025
‘This year we lost a lot of experienced players. It’s sad to think how far we fell considering we were three or four minutes away from beating the best team in the NRL era in a grand final.’
Walters says he is keen to impress new coach Michael Maguire – especially since he has been targeted by trolls on social media.
‘I’ve received a lot of messages and comments through social media about people telling me to enjoy Super League or Queensland Cup,’ he said.
‘I’m keen to get there and prove the haters wrong that I wasn’t wearing the No.9 because my dad was the coach.
‘I was wearing it because I’m the best No.9 at the club.’
