LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Gorden Tallis has criticized the Brisbane Broncos for allegedly twisting the narrative surrounding Kevin Walters' axing as head coach.
Tallis expressed frustration over how the situation was handled, particularly after a review of the team's season led to Walters' departure.
Michael Maguire has since been brought in to rejuvenate the club's culture, but his impact has yet to be felt, with the Broncos losing five of their last six games and currently sitting in ninth place.
Allan Langer, a former trainer and friend of Walters, also voiced his discontent, marking the end of an era for the team.
The Old Boys, a group of former Broncos players, have united in their disappointment over the treatment of Walters, with Tallis leading the charge.
He emphasized that the club's decision-making should have been transparent, stating, "That was reverse engineered.
The club didn't want to make the decision and the players are dirty about that."
According to Tallis, the players feel unfairly blamed for the timing and nature of Walters' exit.
He argued that the Broncos should have taken ownership of their choice instead of placing the responsibility on the players.
"The players that I've spoken to are dirty that they got blamed for it.
The club should have come out and owned that decision, they shouldn't have put that on the players.
That was unfair to put that on the players." Tallis noted that the decision lacked the necessary discussion among the players and coaching staff, remarking, "There was no meeting, they weren't sitting around, they weren't face to face.
And that's the coach's job."
The ongoing struggles of the Broncos following these major changes have raised further concerns regarding the club's direction and leadership under Maguire.