LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Kevin Walters has hit back at claims of a 'rock star culture' taking over during his tenure as Brisbane Broncos coach, adamant that Reece Walsh should be free to express himself however he pleases, even if it means sporting nail polish and sunglasses indoors.
The new sheriff in town, Michael Maguire, is on a mission to clean up the Broncos' act after their nosedive from grand finalists in 2023 to 12th place in 2024.
Walters, who was given the boot due to the team's dismal performance, refuted the idea that the players had let success go to their heads, insisting, "It's a load of garbage, I can tell you from being inside the club.
The Broncos are not a 'rockstar' club."
As Maguire took the reins from Walters, he cracked down on certain behaviors that had infiltrated the team, like the ban on shirtless training sessions (allegedly to appease sponsors) and the expected veto on nail painting and night-time sunglass-wearing.
The flashy Walsh, known for his stylish nail art and shades, may find his flair curbed under Maguire's strict regime, as predicted by NRL pundits Braith Anasta and Dean Ritchie.
In the unpredictable game of Rugby League, it seems the Broncos are undergoing a culture shake-up with Maguire at the helm, aiming to steer the team away from the allure of glitz and glamour towards a more hard-working ethos.
Time will tell if the new boss can whip the Broncos back into shape and keep them focused on the ultimate goal: victory on the field.