Broncos younger gun Selwyn Cobbo is dealing with punishment for his explosive podcast feedback relating to Kevin Walters’ teaching potential.
It comes amid studies Walters, 55, has kicked off contract negotiations.
Brisbane powerbrokers late final 12 months reportedly started negotiating an extension for Walters past the top of the 2023 season, in response to The Courier Mail.
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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. The Broncos misplaced 5 of their last six video games and had been unable to interrupt their three-year finals drought.
However in response to chief govt Dave Donaghy, senior gamers had been impressed by Walters.
“The suggestions I’ve obtained from the senior gamers throughout the course of the pre-season is that coaching, preparation and the entire program has actually stepped up. They’re working extremely exhausting and Kev is main that,” Donaghy mentioned.
“He’s doing a fantastic job and we’re completely dedicated to persevering with to assist him, as we’re with the whole soccer program, to assist us get again to the place we wish to be.
“All of us noticed the progress final 12 months. We obtained a bit sloppy on the again finish of final season however now we have reviewed it, learnt from it and carried out steps to enhance it.
“The suggestions I’m getting is that’s occurring and I’m seeing sturdy progress throughout the course of the pre-season.”
Donaghy additionally emphasised the membership’s deal with “stability and continuity” following a variety of off-field incidents, together with Cobbo and Tyson Gamble’s feedback on Walters’ teaching.
“We’ve been by means of plenty of change over the past decade and haven’t had plenty of success. That’s not a coincidence,” Donaghy mentioned.
“Teaching the Broncos is a distinct beast. It’s a membership that has plenty of eyeballs on it. We have now the biggest membership base, TV viewers, social following and are within the heartland of rugby league.
“It’s not for everybody, however Kev’s performed a fantastic job bringing folks collectively. He’s been terrific at connecting everybody concerned within the footy membership.”
In the meantime, Cobbo’s feedback on the ‘Again of the 135’ podcast in late October final 12 months haven’t escaped the headlines.
Within the podcast, the 20-year-old Broncos flyer was requested whether or not he thought Walters was a very good coach or not, prompting an trustworthy evaluation of the previous premiership winner.
“I reckon he’s a very good individual,” Cobbo mentioned.
“He’s a very good individual, like a very good bloke however I don’t assume he’s a very good coach. He’s not the very best coach however he’s alright.
“I really feel like he’s only a good individual however I don’t reckon he’s a coach. Although he skilled footy, been by means of all of the grand finals and all that, however I really 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.
Donaghy mentioned 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 loads for Selwyn to absorb final 12 months. On the finish of the day he’s a 20-year-old child that’s had a fairly meteoric rise within the recreation,” Donaghy mentioned.
“An enormous a part of that rise has been by means of the assist, understanding and nurturing of Kev. I don’t assume he would have performed Origin with out that. An enormous a part of his remorse and regret has been as a result of he agrees with that.
“Selwyn has made a very important error in judgment in agreeing to do a podcast with out the membership’s approval.
“I don’t wish to punish him for eternity for it, however he must know what occurred and what was mentioned was completely unacceptable.
“He might be sanctioned for it as a result of it’s a transparent breach of membership coverage. We’ll cope with that internally and transfer on from this.”
Initially printed as Selwyn Cobbo dealing with sanction for ‘completely unacceptable’ feedback
