Broncos coach Kevin Walters has called for the NRL to consider a shortened season moving forward, while defending his decision to rest a host of marquee stars for Thursday’s battle with Melbourne.
Both Walters and rival Storm mentor Craig Bellamy will each have 11 key men on the sidelines at Suncorp Stadium, having secured their places in the top two and top four respectively on the eve of the finals campaign.
Among 11 Broncos to be rested on Thursday are (from left) Kurt Capewell, Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh and Payne Haas.Credit: Getty
Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds (calf), lock Pat Carrigan (foot) and centre Kotoni Staggs (suspension) were already ruled out of the clash. However, Walters has opted to rest Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo, Kurt Capewell, Billy Walters, Kobe Hetherington and Herbie Farnworth, with the minor premiership on the line.
Thomas Flegler, who will captain the outfit, was also set to be left out of the team, but Walters confirmed the firebrand prop refused to be sidelined.
“You don’t argue with Fleg,” Walters said, “you can argue with him, be my guest.”
Suggestions of shortening the season would involve the State of Origin series being held separately from the NRL campaign – either at the end of the year or with the competition taking a mid-year hiatus.
Such a move could eliminate much of the fatigue – and injuries – that occur throughout a gruelling schedule. It would also avoid the need to rest so many players at the business end of the year.
“I’d be a big fan of condensing it [the season] up, but that’s out of my leg the decisions on that,” Walters said.
“Origin is great, it’s a great thing for our game, we’ve just got to make sure it’s in the right space.
“[I think it would be] less of a distraction on the season, but we’ve got through the last couple of years in pretty good shape.
Coach Kevin Walters chats with Darius Boyd during training.Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I love that our boys play Origin, it’s done wonderful things for Patty Carrigan’s career [and] Flegler’s career when they come out of Origin. Reece Walsh this year has been spending time with Billy Slater in there. That sort of time is invaluable.
“We love Origin, we’ve just got to get the right piece of that puzzle.”
Walters had previously been adamant he would not rest his key players, in a bid to launch the club’s first premiership charge since 2006.
However, after securing a top-two berth last week against Canberra, he has backflipped on those plans.
His shift has drawn the ire of some fans, with ticket holders taking to social media to voice their frustrations that the Broncos’ leading men would not play.
But Walters was quick to defend his selection gambles, declaring that those who came into the mix – the likes of veterans Delouise Hoeter and Jordan Pereira, who are yet to play NRL this year – warranted a call-up.
“The minor premiership is important – acknowledging you are the best team – and I feel, without being arrogant, we have been the best team, and the most consistent team all season,” Walters said.
“The other thing is taking a step back and having a look at the bigger picture of where we want to get to as a team and as a club, and of course, that bigger picture is next week – finals week one.”
