After a promising second-half showing last week eeked the Brisbane Broncos past the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 34-14, their clash against the in-form Cronulla Sharks this Thursday night will be the ultimate test as they look to earn a spot inside the top eight.
However, despite this impressive showing last week, Broncos head coach Kevin Walters has found himself back in the speculative hot seat.
Walters adopted a Broncos squad in 2021 that had earnt the wooden spoon for the first time in franchise history the year before.
A slight improvement from the former Queensland Maroons coach in his maiden season with the Broncos, Walters finished third last but showed he had the ability to develop young talent if the patience was given.
And Broncos legend, as well as current board member, Darren Lockyer has thrown similar praises towards the embattled coach, ensuring the board is completely behind Walters.
โThe boardโs behind Kevvie,โ Lockyer told WWOS.
โHe came in last year and the morale was down, just with where the club was at. With respect to (Anthony) Seibold, he tried his hardest, but in the end, it didnโt work.
โWhere the club was at - wooden spoon, the morale was down - heโs done a really good job of bringing that morale back into the playing group.
โHeโs added a couple of good players to his roster. Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell have been really good signings for the club.
โThere is a lot to look forward to in the next year or two and Kevvieโs been a big part of that.
โItโs news to me and all I can say is the board is 100 per cent behind Kevvie and what heโs doing.โ
The addition of Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell, as well as the rising form of stars Katoni Staggs and Payne Hass should give fans solace that under Walters the Broncos should at least be a threat for a finals appearance come September.
