Huge news dropped overnight as the Brisbane Broncos announced the removal of Kevin Walters as head coach.
An end-of-season review ruled that missing the Finals just wasn't good enough and the Broncos legend paid with his job.
Less than 12 months after Walters and his Broncos fell a Nathan Cleary 20-minute masterclass short of a title, they have parted ways.
I feel Brisbane wouldn't have made this decision unless they had at least a name or two in mind to replace the now-departed Walters.
Below are five names I believe will be in those discussions and therefore likely replacements as Brisbane Broncos head coach:
My feeling is that Billy Slater will take over the Melbourne Storm when Craig Bellamy finally retires or moves into a head of football role.
That said, Billy Slater isn't going to wait to wait forever.
It looks like a matter of when, not if, Slater will translate from the Origin arena into week-to-week NRL coaching.
The Broncos' role is massive but Slater has spent his career in the most massive of moments. He is a multiple-time Premiership-winning player, Origin winner and Kangaroos legend.
Slater has overseen a tremendous run at the helm of the Maroons.
He managed to wrestle the Shield away from a far more favoured and seemingly superior NSW set-up.
Slater is the next great NRL coach. You can take this statement to the bank!
I still believe he has his eyes set on the Storm role. He is a Storm legend in every sense of the world.
That said, if there is one role that may detour that Storm plan, is looks to be the Brisbane role.
Slater is just as much a QLD legend as a Storm legend. You can't convince me that this isn't a match made in rugby league heaven!
