Kevin Walters confidently declared he always knew there were ‘good times ahead’ for the Brisbane Broncos after his side scored their fifth victory of the 2021 NRL season on Friday night.
Six days after pushing competition heavyweights Penrith to their limit in a 12-6 loss, the improving Broncos recorded a 37-18 win over North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
“We finally got to enjoy that last six or seven minutes of a game where you’re in front and we thought we were pretty much home,” a delighted Walters said post-match.
“That’s the joys of coaching, we’ve had a lot of times this year where it hasn’t been so great but I always knew there were good times ahead and we’ll enjoy tonight.
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“On the performance of tonight I thought they really came together again nicely.
“You can see it in the dressing room and around training how they’re slowly but surely coming together as that unit that we need them to be.”
Giant teenage back-rower Xavier Willison became the Broncos’ fourth debutant this season after playing 14 minutes off the bench against the Cowboys.
Walters has also blooded Selwyn Cobbo, TC Robati and Kobe Hetherington in his first season in charge at Red Hill.
The Broncos have recruited South Sydney half-back Adam Reynolds as well as Origin stars Kurt Capewell and Brenko Lee for the 2022 season.
Walters on Friday night declared the mix of youth and experience a recipe for future success for the once glamour club.
“We’ve debuted four kids this year coming through … and we’re looking forward to the development of those guys around some more senior players, it’s pretty exciting times ahead for us,” he said.
But before they turn their attention to 2022, Walters’ men still have work to do to avoid a second-consecutive wooden spoon.
They are currently six points clear of bottom-placed Canterbury and six adrift of eighth-placed St George Illawarra.
The Broncos play the Knights (twice), Roosters, Warriors and Sharks in the final five rounds and Walters is looking to do some damage on the run home.
“That’s the plan that we have in place is to try and get something out of the next five games and I believe we can with the group that we have,” Walters said.
“It was a nice win tonight, very enjoyable, a winning dressing room is a great dressing room and I just reminded them about how good a winning dressing room is.
“We haven’t had that many this year but it’s really nice to have that winning feeling, you can’t beat it.”
Meanwhile, Walters wished Anthony Milford well after the Broncos five-eighth on Friday signed a one-year deal with South Sydney for the 2022 season.
“We wish Anthony nothing but the best,” Walters said.
“It’s a very strong club that he’s going to and it’s a good move for Anthony.
“(It will) get him out of his comfort zone into Sydney and it’s a really good signing for the Rabbitohs.”
