Broncos younger gun Selwyn Cobbo is dealing with punishment for his explosive podcast feedback concerning Kevin Walters teaching potential because the 55-year-old kicks off contract negotiations.
Brisbane powerbrokers reportedly started negotiating an extension for Walters past the top of this season late final 12 months, in line with The Courier Mail.
Walters’ was handed a one-year extension earlier than the 2022 season kicked off because the Broncos surged into the highest 4 earlier than being sensationally bundled out of the finals race.
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The Broncos misplaced 5 of their last six video games and have been unable to interrupt their three-year finals drought, however in line with chief government Dave Donaghy, senior gamers have been impressed by Walters who has “stepped up”.
“The feedback I’ve got from the senior players across the course of the pre-season is that training, preparation and the whole program has really stepped up. They are working incredibly hard and Kev is leading that,” Donaghy stated.
“He is doing a great job and we are absolutely committed to continuing to support him, as we are with the entire football program, to help us get back to where we want to be.
“We all saw the progress last year. We got a bit sloppy at the back end of last season but we have reviewed it, learnt from it and implemented steps to improve it.
“The feedback I’m getting is that’s happening and I’m seeing strong progress across the course of the pre-season.”
Donaghy additionally emphasised the membership’s concentrate on “stability and continuity” following a variety of off-field incidents together with Cobbo and Gamble’s feedback on Walters’ teaching.
“We’ve been really clear that continuity and stability at our club is really important,” Donaghy stated.
“We’ve been through a lot of change over the last decade and haven’t had a lot of success. That’s not a coincidence.
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“Coaching the Broncos is a different beast. It’s a club that has a lot of eyeballs on it. We have the largest membership base, TV audience, social following and are in the heartland of rugby league.
“It’s not for everyone, but Kev’s done a great job bringing people together. He’s been terrific at connecting everyone involved in the footy club.”
Meanwhile, the Broncos’ 20-year-old flyer’s feedback on the ‘Back of the 135’ podcast in late October final 12 months haven’t been forgotten.
“I reckon he’s a good person,” Cobbo stated.
“He’s a good person, like a good bloke but I don’t think he’s a good coach. He’s not the best coach but he’s alright.
“I feel like he’s just a good person but I don’t reckon he’s a coach. Even though he experienced footy, been through all the grand finals and all that, but I feel like he’s not a coach.”
Cobbo himself had an inconsistent season, flying out of the blocks and incomes an Origin call-up earlier than spending time sidelined with concussion and fatigue late within the 12 months.
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Donaghy admitted it was a giant 12 months for Cobbo in 2022, however defined he could be dealing with sanctions regardless of apologising to his coach.
“There was a lot for Selwyn to take in last year. At the end of the day he is a 20-year-old kid that’s had a pretty meteoric rise in the game,” Donaghy stated.
“A big part of that rise has been through the support, understanding and nurturing of Kev. I don’t think he would have played Origin without that. A big part of his regret and remorse has been because he agrees with that.
“Selwyn has made a really significant error in judgment in agreeing to do a podcast without the club’s approval.
“I don’t want to punish him for eternity for it, but he needs to know what happened and what was said was totally unacceptable.
“He will be sanctioned for it because it’s a clear breach of club policy. We will deal with that internally and move on from this.”