It pains him to say it but Glenn Lazarus believes fellow Brisbane great Kevin Walters will be reluctant to apply for the Broncos coaching job again after missing out to Anthony Seibold.
South Sydney mentor Seibold is expected to be confirmed as Broncos coach for 2020 ahead of candidates Walters and Jason Demetriou at Tuesday night’s Brisbane board meeting.
Former Brisbane prop Lazarus believes it doesn’t mark Walters’ last chance to coach his beloved Broncos and hopes one day his good mate realises his dream.
But Lazarus fears the former Broncos premiership-winning captain may not apply again for the top job at Red Hill after being sensationally snubbed.
“He would be disenchanted with the whole process,” Lazarus told AAP.
“Wayne (Bennett) has never endorsed him.
“Ex-Broncos players at large have said Kevvie is the man for the job but no one seemed to listen in the Broncos hierarchy.
“Anthony appears to have all the right credentials but the Broncos have had someone sitting in their own backyard in Kevin and haven’t really given him the time of day which is very disappointing.”
Lazarus couldn’t understand why the Broncos seemed determined to sign Seibold once they missed out on Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy in June, overlooking Brisbane favourite son Walters.
“My frustration over all this is why Kevin Walters has never been mentioned (as coach) – he lost a lot of blood, sweat and tears for this club,” he said.
“He’s been mentored by the best, he has had coaching success. I think he would be ideal for the Broncos but it seemed once they missed out on Craig Bellamy they were going for Anthony Seibold.”
Lazarus said Walters would have been the man to inspire Brisbane after they “made up the numbers” in the 2018 finals.
The Broncos finished sixth on the ladder but suffered a shock opening elimination finals loss to St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium.
“I hope it is not (Walters’ last chance to coach Broncos) because I think he would help,” Lazarus said.
“Because Brisbane were very lucky to get into the eight this year. If Canberra or Wests Tigers didn’t stumble, Brisbane were going to be very close to missing the eight.
“I know Kevin has the Broncos’ DNA in him. I thought he would be a far better option.”