Adam Reynolds has revealed Broncos players were informed of Kevin Walters’ sacking via the media — a decision that left him “pissed off” and bewildered.
Walters was sacked after a four-year stint as Brisbane’s head coach after a disappointing 2024 season, with Michael Maguire the man to replace the club legend.
Ultimately, Maguire led the Broncos to a drought-breaking premiership this season, but Walters’ departure left Reynolds with a bad taste in his mouth.
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In his book ‘On My Own Terms’, Reynolds revealed that “not for one second did I expect him to get sacked” and that he still believes Walters was “hard done by”.
“The Broncos have only pissed me off once, and it was when they sacked Kev,” he wrote.
“Not only did they cut loose a good man and a good coach, but they left it to the media to break the news to the players.
“Most of the boys were on holidays at the end of September when word got out. Kev’s son Billy, our dummy-half, broke the news to me.
“‘Kev just got sacked’, Billy texted. ‘Piss off, you’re geeing me up’, I wrote back.
“‘Nah mate, I’m serious, I’ll call you soon’, Billy responded.”
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has revealed the shock moment he found out about Kevin Walters’ sacking.Source: News Corp Australia
That text message prompted Reynolds to get in contact with the club’s chief executive Dave Donaghy, and his response left the playing group frustrated.
“He confirmed Kev’s sacking, and apologised for the way it had got out before he had a chance to tell the actual players,” Reynolds wrote.
“We were sh*tty as a group that we were virtually the last ones to know. We were sh*tty Kev was gone.
“I sent Kev a text, apologising to him for not being able to get the results that could have kept him in a job, and saying I wished the news was not true.
“He was very similar to Wayne Bennett in terms of his coaching style. He kept things simple and placed a lot of responsibility on, and trust in, the playing group.
“Four days after Kev was boned, Madge was given the gig. I was excited to work with him. I started my NRL career under him.”
Outside of the Walters’ situation, Reynolds also admitted he believes he will pursue a career as an NRL coach after his playing days.
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It has been previously reported the veteran will move into a coaching role at the Broncos after his current contract expires, however his comments during his book launch has cast doubt on that move.
“I still haven’t come to terms or come to an agreement where I am going to finish up, I don’t know,” Reynolds said to Fox Sports News.
“If I am playing good football next year and I’m fit and healthy and enjoying myself, I don’t see a reason to end that.”
Regardless, when he does hang up the boots, he hopes to one day become a head coach.
“The eventual goal is to become an NRL head coach. If you asked me where I saw myself in ten years’ time, it would be as an NRL coach, hopefully with a few premierships under the belt, and only a few extra kilos around the waistline,” he wrote.
“Once I arrived in Brisbane, I found myself helping some of the younger players, and being blown away by how good it felt to see their immediate improvement from one little bit of advice you passed onto them.
“Brisbane will be where we spend the rest of our lives.”