Legendary Brisbane Broncos coaches Kevin Walters and Allan Langer are a great duo as trainers and coaches.
The two larrikins from Ipswich have blended their good humour with the serious task of guiding Brisbane to a sixth title.
“Since Alf retired, people have undervalued his contribution to this club. Coach Walters remarked of his assistant and former halves partner, “I certainly haven’t.”
The two larrikins from Ipswich have blended their good humour with the serious task of guiding Brisbane to a sixth title.
“Since Alf retired, people have undervalued his contribution to this club. Coach Walters remarked of his assistant and former halves partner, “I certainly haven’t.”
While playing for the Broncos and Langer, Walters won five premierships.
As players, they were the right-hand men of former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, and they both worked on Brisbane’s coaching staff with the mentor who is currently with the Dolphins.
When Bennett attempted to “recruit” Langer for the Dolphins the previous season, it caused quite a stir. At the time, Bennett’s clever scheme to incite rivalry appeared sacrilegious, but he explained it.
Bennett smiled and said, “I tried to help him get a pay rise.”
Did Langer receive one, too?
“He did,” Bennett affirmed.
To be honest with you, I didn’t want him to leave the Broncos. Allan Langer can’t stop being a Bronco despite all the changes and events that have occurred at the team. That’s all there is to it.
“He is aware of my thoughts and feelings towards him. “Allan Langer exists, and there are the Broncos.”
Bennett is ecstatic as well. In just three years, Walters has led Brisbane from last place in 2020 to a top-two finish. He has secured his ideal job.
After Bennett made his second departure from the Broncos at the conclusion of 2018, Walters was forced to exercise patience.
“He’s been travelling with it. Bennett stated, “He’s been dedicated to it and he’s persevered.”
All you can do at times is keep going, and chances will eventually present themselves. He did an excellent job, and I’m very happy for him.
“Some of the top players in the game are there. They have also benefited from the recruiting process. A group of teams that can (win the title) includes them.
After Langer had guided the side to four consecutive premierships, Walters lead the Broncos to the 2000 championship under Bennett.
He’s imagined the club winning the one and only trophy that matters on October 1.
“At the beginning of the season, all coaches sit down and dream. You must have lofty aspirations, and we do,” Walters remarked.
We will continue because that opportunity is still in front of us. Undoubtedly, that is the ultimate aim.
“I always have a strong sense of confidence in
Walters has also thought back to the team’s dire circumstances at the conclusion of 2020. Although it has taken a lot of work, the side is now getting close to the standards ingrained in the Broncos’ culture.”It has been a terrific effort from a lot of people,” he stated.
“Over the past few years, every member of our staff—coaches, players, and performance staff—has given their all.
“We had no idea how long it would take, but I was confident—without being conceited—that, if we followed the appropriate procedures, we would arrive. That is what we have accomplished.
“At the moment, we are not quite where we want to be. It’s all about trophies in this club. It is the focus of the group and what I am all about. That serves as the catchphrase.
Langer is imparting this mantra to the players.
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The fact that Langer is visible on the pitch running the water and passing messages just as much as he was when he played is a long-standing joke in the game.
