Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters has warned the side not to overestimate their own ability heading into the NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm after two remarkable come from behind victories. Walters also correctly predicted coach Michael Maguire would drop Ben Talty with Patrick Carrigan returning for the grand final.
The Broncos produced one of the great preliminary final comebacks in front of their home crowd at Suncorp with Reece Walsh producing a moment of magic, before Adam Reynolds sealed the win. The likes of Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs were immense with the Broncos scoring 16 unanswered points to become the first team to eliminate the Panthers in five years.
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters (pictured left) has warned the Broncos they need to start stronger against a ‘fresh’ Storm side as Ben Talty (pictured right) has made way for the returning Patrick Carrigan. (Images: Getty Images)
And it came off the back of Walsh producing magic to knock out the Raiders two weeks earlier. The Broncos have now come from behind in both games to stun their opponents and return to the grand final for the first time since Walters took them their in 2023.
But Walters feels their is a concern against the Storm who may benefit from an ‘easier’ run through the finals. Craig Bellamy’s side will benefit from an extra two days recovery after playing on Friday night. Walters also feels wins against the Bulldogs and the Sharks has turned out to be an easier run compared to Maguire’s journey.
The Broncos have defeated the minor premiers and the reigning champions on their way to the NRL grand final in two exhausting encounters. And Walters feels the Storm are going to be a different beast come grand final day.
“To get to the grand final is a great achievement. They will be feeling really nice today. But you got to win it now. Take that next step. I believe they can. But it will be a similar game. Because the Storm are similar to Penrith, but they are fresher. They have had the easier run through the finals,” Walters said on his Inside Ball podcast.
Walters has also warned the Broncos not to get ahead of themselves coming up against the Storm. Broncos fans and players will be riding the wave heading into the grand final after proving the doubters wrong all season.
Harry Grant (pictured right) and the Storm will be ‘fresh’ heading into the NRL grand final with Kevin Walters warning the Broncos.
Their latest two victories show with the likes of Walsh, Reynolds and Haas the team is never out of it. But the former Broncos and Queensland coach feels the team need to get their feet back on the ground ahead of the showdown against Cameron Munster and his men.
“Do you reckon the Storm fear someone too? Don’t underestimate the Storm. This is my problem. This is where I am a bit worried, they think they are just invincible now. The five-time premiers showed that no one is invincible.” Walters urged the Broncos to start stronger against the Storm, suggesting they can’t keep starting slow like they did against the Raiders and Panthers.
Kevin Walters right with Broncos recruit dropped
Maguire has named Carrigan back in the starting line-up after serving a one-game suspension. Xavier Willison escaped suspension, which left a big decision over who would miss out on grand final day.
“I tend to think, maybe Ben Talty misses out,” Dobbo said on the podcast. Walters also felt mid-season signing Talty could be the unfortunate star to make way.
“Yeah, I would say he would be the one. It’s that last man on the boat,” Walters added. And Maguire confirmed it was Talty that would make way with Smoothy shifting to the bench upon Carrigan’s return.
Talty joined the Broncos in round 15 and Maguire has relied on the versatile player due to a number of injuries. Against the Panthers, Smoothy started at lock and played 39 minutes in Carrigan’s place. He’s traditionally a hooker but has been seeing more time in the back-row of late. Maguire also opted to stick with Ezra Mam on the bench against the Storm with Hunt remaining in the halves.
Former Broncos Kevin Walters (pictured right) feels the Broncos can defeat the Melbourne Storm if they start stronger.