Reynolds backs Walters as coach after Tallis savaging

Joel Gould |

Kevin Walters (L) has the full support of Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds (R) as the side’s coach.
Kevin Walters (L) has the full support of Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds (R) as the side’s coach.

Adam Reynolds has backed Brisbane coach Kevin Walters as the right man to lead the club in the future after the Broncos skipper was the target of a savage personal attack by Gorden Tallis.

Former Broncos captain Tallis launched into Reynolds for not publicly supporting Walters as coach after the Brisbane mentor’s future at the club had been questioned following a dire season where the club will miss finals.

“I put pressure on Adam Reynolds,” Tallis told Triple M Radio in the wake of the 40-6 loss to the Dolphins.

“Kevvie came out and stood up for him.

“Now Kevvie has been under the pump and there is silence (from Reynolds) … crickets.”

Previously Tallis had called for Reynolds to be replaced as Broncos captain by lock Pat Carrigan.

Walters was quick to dismiss Tallis’s call and backed Reynolds to the hilt. 

Reynolds fronted the media on Monday and disputed the Tallis claim.

Reynolds Broncos
Adam Reynolds insists he has supported Broncos coach Kevin Walters. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

“It is his opinion. He is entitled to his opinion. I was on the radio this morning backing Kev,” Reynolds said.

“Kev brought me here from (South Sydney) and has given me a great opportunity to come up to a great club and do something special. I love the place and I am forever grateful.

“Kev has done a fantastic job leading this club and is the right man for that job.. We believe in him. 

“We just need to get on board and follow the instructions from Kev. I have never seen anyone more passionate about the club and someone who loves the club and it has to rub off on the players.”

Tallis and Reynolds both appear on Triple M.

Broncos hooker Billy Walters resigned from his guest appearance gig on the station after criticism of his father. Reynolds then filled the breach, earning Tallis’s ire for not rejecting the offer.

“Billy Walters said no to coming on this station and his captain jumps straight in,” Tallis said.

“I wouldn’t do it. He (Reynolds) can say no.

“You have to be on the same page and you have to be one in, all in.”

Reynolds said missing the playoffs was unacceptable for the Broncos after the side made last year’s grand final.

Dolphins
The Broncos were made to look second-rate by Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

“It is extremely disappointing the position we find ourselves in,” he said.

“It is completely irrelevant to last year. I know a lot of people keep drawing it back to that, but it is a different team. 

“We’ve had a fair few injuries. All those things you could use as excuses but we simply weren’t good enough this year. We will review the season once it is done, have a really good pre-season and come back better and try and improve for next year.”

As for why the Broncos were so poor against the Dolphins with their season on the line, Reynolds was unsure. 

 “I can’t put a finger on it. It was errors and execution,” he said.

” A lot of things weren’t there on the night. It is easy to sit there as an outsider and nitpick but we are still out there trying extremely hard but things aren’t working for us.

“We will stick tight as a group and use the hurt we are feeling now moving forward as motivation.”

AAP