AdminBrisbane Broncos’ CEO Dave Donaghy faced tough questions on Triple M radio on Sunday and stated that terminating former coach Kevin Walters was the correct choice for the club. However, Walters’ close friend and club icon Gorden Tallis was not willing to let Donaghy overlook a mistake he made while discussing Walters.
Donaghy was involved in the decision to let Walters go last year after he spent four years as head coach of the Broncos.
This was a sensitive decision, given that Walters is a club legend, having secured multiple premierships as a player. On Sunday, journalist James Hooper queried Donaghy on whether he still believed that dismissing Walters was appropriate, particularly in light of the team’s inconsistent performance under new coach Michael Maguire in 2025. Before their notable turnaround against Cronulla, which resulted in a 34-28 victory, the Broncos had slipped out of the top eight and were performing worse than they had under Walters at the same time last year. “We made an incredibly difficult decision, and that’s the reality of it,” Donaghy explained. “Kevvie is a great of our club, and he dedicated his heart and soul to the place for four years. ”
Gorden Tallis promptly corrected Donaghy regarding his statement about Kevin Walters. “30 years,” Tallis interjected, pointing out that Walters had committed himself for more than just the four years he coached. Tallis referred to Walters’ debut with the Broncos in 1990, indicating that his ties to the club extended far beyond his tenure as a coach.
Donaghy replied, “Sorry Gordie, 30 years. He had four years as the coach and did a wonderful job, spending a long time here. We want to make sure we’re acknowledging that and appreciating his contributions. However, we believed it was time for a change, and we maintain that it was the right decision. ”
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Tallis has been one of Walters’ most vocal supporters and the most prominent Broncos legend to challenge the club’s decision to let him go. He previously criticized Adam Reynolds last year, suggesting that Reynolds might lose his captaincy for participating in a radio show that Walters’ son Billy boycotted due to remarks made about his father. Tallis stated at that time that Reynolds should have stood in solidarity and declined to appear.
NRL supporters were left astonished by the performance of Latrell Mitchell and a depleted Rabbitohs squad that managed to push Melbourne Storm to golden point, while Craig Bellamy exhibited frustration in the coaching box. The Storm entered the match against South Sydney Rabbitohs as strong favorites, bolstered by Harry Grant and Cameron Munster returning from Queensland’s State of Origin victory.
Grant quickly crossed for a try within moments, followed by Jahrome Hughes adding another score that sent shockwaves through the Rabbitohs’ ranks. It seemed as if the Storm could easily amass an overwhelming score against the Rabbitohs, who were already struggling with numerous injuries affecting key players in Wayne Bennett’s team.
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