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:
Having come so close to landing the Eels job, you'd have to imagine the Sharks assistant will be keen to put his hat back in the ring.
Hannay is held in extremely high regard at the Sharks while he has been a regular in the Queensland Origin set up.
The Sharks were willing to let Hannay go if he landed the Eels job and they surely won't stand in is way should Brisbane come calling.
If the Broncos want a fresh start, Hannay could provide that.
The 44-year-old has done his time as an assistant and has aged past "one of the boys" status.
I felt Walters was too close to the Broncos, as silly as that sounds to type, but Hannay wouldn't have that issue.
Most importantly Hannay did a stellar job in ridiculously difficult circumstances while in charge at the Sharks.
He oversaw 19 games in the 2021 season. Most won't even remember the season but he stood up after John Morris was released after the club signed Craig Fitzgibbon.
His stint was such that Fitzgibbon kept him on as his assistant.
Hannay missed the Eels job by a whisker. Maybe it was for the best as he may be next man up in Brisbane.
