Broncos hooker Billy Walters has accused critics of his coach and father Kevin as having “short memories” after the side copped another flogging to end the season.
After Brisbane beat the Eels 30-24 in round 25, the coach declared his side “will make finals” despite them sitting outside the eight and needing to win their next two matches.
The Broncos then went on to lose 40-6 to the Dolphins and 50-12 against Melbourne.
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Walters’ men have now missed finals for the third time since he took over as coach, and marks a sharp turnaround from the grand final loss last year.
Billy Walters has leapt to the defence of his father, Kevin. Getty
Billy told Triple M the loss to the Storm “sums up our year”.
“It felt like we started pretty well, we were in the grind, just one slip up and we didn’t react well to it and they scored a couple of quick tries,” he said.
“It’s hard to give the Storm a bit of a leg up like that and try and run it down. They showed why they finished on top of the ladder.”
The Broncos hooker has been in the headlines himself recently, after quitting a show on Triple M due to criticism of his father.
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Walters described the criticism as “unnecessary”.
“People have short memories, he took a team from wooden spoon to within five or 20 minutes of winning a comp to be beaten by probably the best team in the last 40 years. I think it’s pretty harsh criticism but it is what it is,” he said.
Brisbane’s capitulation this season comes after the loss of several key players.
Kurt Capewell was given an early release to sign with the Warriors before the season started while Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth and Keenan Palasia all took up contracts elsewhere.
Farnworth starred for the Dolphins in round 26, scoring a double against his old side.
Billy believes the loss of those four is one of the key reasons behind Brisbane’s decline.
“I don’t think it gets spoken about a lot, I don’t want to make excuses, but we lost four really good players last year in Capes, Fleg, Herbie and Keenan,” he said.
“As good as these young boys’ futures are at our club at the moment, they probably got thrust into the spotlight (early). We were probably one of the hunted teams with the year we had last year and unfortunately we didn’t handle it well this year but hopefully they all learn from it and bounce back next year.”