Within the Brisbane Broncos camp following the shock sacking of Kevin Walters, as captain Adam Reynolds makes a stunning admission over the coach’s departure

Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds has made a surprise admission following the sacking of Broncos head coach Kevin Walters.

It was announced on Thursday that the 56-year-old, who won five championships with the Broncos as a player, will step down from his role at the club following a review of the team’s poor performance in 2024, in which they finished 12th.

Walters’ contract was due to expire in 2026 after he had already spent four years at the club, with Brisbane having to begin the search for a new head coach immediately.

According to the Sydney Morning HeraldWalters left by ‘mutual consent’, with the Brisbane legend stating it was ‘the greatest thrill and honour’ to take charge of the team.

But it appears the players were not kept informed of his dismissal, with Reynolds telling the newspaper his team were trying to “find out what was going on.”

“We were as surprised as anyone else when the news broke – we still haven’t heard anything official,” Reynolds told the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday.

“Kevvie is one of the main reasons why I came to the club. I am disappointed of course. I have a lot of respect for him. I don’t know what else to say until the club communicates with us.

“We’re all trying to figure out what’s going on. He’s a great coach and I like his coaching style. It’s been a tough year. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong.

Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds (pictured) has made a surprise admission following the sacking of Broncos head coach Kevin Walters

Kevin Walters said goodbye to the Broncos on Thursday after four years with the club

He added: ‘I’ve tried to get in touch with Kev. My thoughts are with him.’

Walters, a Broncos legend, was the third-longest-tenured coach in the club’s history.

He coached 99 NRL games, succeeding Anthony Seibold in 2021. In 2023, he led the club from last place to second in the Premier League.

Earlier on Thursday, Walters released a statement on his departure via the club’s website, writing: ‘Apart from playing here, it has been the greatest thrill and honour of my life to have coached the Broncos.

‘Coaching in the NRL takes its toll, not only on the coach but also on his or her family. It is time for me to take a step back and spend some quality time with my loved ones, who have supported me unwaveringly over the past four years.

Reynolds (left) said members of the playing group had been kept in the dark about Walters’ (right) dismissal

Walters (centre), a Broncos legend, coached 99 NRL games with the team and won five championships with the club as a player

“I am grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to become head coach. We have come a long way from the wooden spoon to the Grand Final last year.

“I wish the team and the club all the best.”