Billy Walters nearly quite the Broncos after his dad was sacked as coach before staying to enjoy premiership success

Billy Walters’ first reaction was to leave the Broncos when they sacked his dad as coach. But 12 months later he was up on stage hoisting the premiership trophy after being invited up by skipper Adam Reynolds despite missing the game through injury. It’s been a whirlwind year for Walters who saw his dad Kevin get ruthlessly sacked by the club just a season after he guided Brisbane to the grand final where they were minutes away from winning it all. The move angered the utility, but he changed his tune fairly quickly and was rewarded with a moment he’ll never forget. “I didn’t think we’d be here, and I didn’t think I’d be standing here with them,” he replied when asked if he thought the Broncos would win the competition after what happened to his dad. “That first reaction when what happened last year happened, I didn’t really want to be a part of the club. “I sat down with my wife and had a talk to think about what I love and who I love. I love the fans and the playing group so much so I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. “I’m so glad I stuck around. The week sums up the past 12 months because it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions with a lot of highs and lows. “There were probably two or three days where I wanted to leave. I didn’t even want to go to preso night. We had that about two weeks after it all happened, and it was actually dad who called me up and said I had to go and be a part of it. “I think that night helped me make my decision because I love the players and the fans. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.” It was a bold call to sack a club legend like Kevin Walters, but Michael Maguire came in and proved the naysayers wrong to continue his incredible coaching streak. Maguire helped New Zealand beat Australia in 2023, led the Blues to a famous Origin win in enemy territory in the 2024 decider, and now he’s ended Brisbane’s 19-year premiership drought in his first season in charge. “He was lucky to get that one last year with the Blues so I’m not going to talk about that,” Broncos and Maroons lock Patrick Carrigan joked. “He’s tough, but he’s fair, and he cares. “The harder you work, the luckier you get, and he’s made us do that. “I’m sure he’s got a few surprises for us next pre-season.” As for Walters, he missed the grand final after suffering an ACL injury in the epic win over Canberra last month. But he still had a special moment on Sunday night when Reynolds invited him onto the stage to lift the trophy after Reece Walsh inspired them to a famous comeback win. “It meant the world to me,” he said. “I’d love a ring and would’ve loved to have been out there with the boys, but the next best thing is to raise the trophy at the end of the year. “You have to be captain to do that, and ‘Reyno’ was nice enough to bring me up on stage to make sure I felt a part of it with the boys. “It was the best feeling in the world.”