LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit by a tough blow as one of Kevin Walters' right-hand men confirms their departure from the NRL club.
Lee Briers, hailing from the UK, has been a key assistant under Walters' tutelage since 2023, aiding the Broncos in reaching the NRL grand final last season.
However, Briers has announced that he will be returning to England at the end of the current season, leaving a significant gap in the Broncos coaching staff.
Briers, who has played a pivotal role in mentoring players like Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds, cited personal family reasons for his decision to head back home.
In a statement released on Monday, he expressed gratitude towards Walters, CEO Dave Donaghy, and the club for taking a chance on him.
Despite the sadness of leaving, Briers emphasized the importance of reuniting with his family in the UK after facing challenges last year.
"It's been a really tough decision to head back home, but firstly I want to thank Kev and the Broncos for giving me this opportunity," Briers said emotionally.
"It's not often that you get an English coach coming over and plying his trade in the NRL, so massive thanks to Kev and Dave and the club for taking a chance on me.
the family had to deal with some loss last year, and the time is right now to go back home - we still have the daughter living in the UK, and we do miss her, so the time is right to go back.
We are forever grateful, and we'll look back on these two years as one of the best experiences of the lives."
As the Broncos prepare to navigate through this coaching shakeup, Kevin Walters will undoubtedly be on the hunt for a new assistant to fill the void left by Briers.
This departure marks a significant moment in the Broncos' journey, with the club facing the challenge of adapting to change and regrouping for the future, much like a team on the field strategizing for their next play.