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JohnnoMcJohnno, The article below is a few months old but in hindsight is an interesting read given the latest developments and your question regarding Walters...
NRL 2017: Kevin Walters urges Brisbane to lock up Ben Hunt, won’t return as assistant coach
- 3 months ago
- DAN WALSH@dan_walsh64
- Source: FOX SPORTS
KEVIN Walters has urged the Broncos to move heaven and earth to re-sign Ben Hunt as the club makes a shock bid for veteran Benji Marshall.
Wayne Bennett has confirmed his interest in handing Marshall an NRL lifeline next season, and in the same breath shot down speculation Hunt could be forced out of the club as a result.
Bennett is eyeing the ex-Kiwi half as either a bench utility or cover for his outside backs, but is still facing a battle to keep Hunt given interest from Parramatta and his rise to become one of the competition’s best halves over the past three seasons.
Hunt’s market value has gone well and truly north since his last deal with the Broncos in 2014.
Given the clamour for quality playmakers the off-contract No.7 is expected to command a figure starting around $600,000 a year, which would likely be inflated again when the salary cap for 2018 and beyond is confirmed.
with close to $6 million of talent able to officially field rival offers in a fortnight’s time.
As well as confirming he would not be returning to Red Hill in any official assistant coaching role next season, Queensland coach Walters declared Hunt’s retention a must for the maroon and gold.
“Without a doubt, they’ve got to do everything they can to keep him,” Walters told foxsports.com.au, speaking before revelations of the club’s interest in Marshall came to light.
Ben Hunt (left) and coach Wayne Bennett at Broncos training.Source: News Corp Australia
“Hunty’s been at that club since he was 13 or 14 years old.
“So they’ve invested a lot of time and money into him, they’d be silly to let him go. I can’t see them letting him go.
“I find that outrageous to be honest.”
Hunt is understood to have received interest from the Eels in recent weeks — the club his father was once on the books for in the 1970s — where former Broncos teammates Corey Norman and Josh Hoffman have now landed for the long-term.
Both Hunt and star halves partner Anthony Milford had up and down 2016 seasons, with Hunt in particular unable to match the stunning form of Brisbane’s grand final run a year earlier.
The absence of Walters’ influence as their halves coach was pinpointed as a factor in their struggles, and a return for this year’s finals series loomed until it blew up in the media and Bennett went cold on the idea.
Walters stood down as Bennett’s assistant this time last year to focus on his maiden Origin campaign, and said no consultancy role for 2017 has been discussed yet with Bennett or the club.
Kevin Walters will again focus on his Queensland Origin duties in 2017. Pic Tim Marsden.Source:News Corp Australia
“There won’t be any fulltime role with the Broncs, it’ll be all about Origin,” Walters said.
“At this stage I haven’t had any discussions around a role next year.
“Of course, if I’m needed I’m happy to help.
“(Milford and Hunt) are both part of the Emerging Origin program and they will be next year as well.
“We’ve identified them and tagged them as future Origin players so we need to make sure they’re aware of what’s going on around the Origin set-up and that means I’m always open to working with them.
“They’re good lads too, they’re great to work with.”
Should Marshall move north, he’ll do so at a bargain basement price.
But as rivals begin to circle, Milford and Hunt will command top dollar.
Milford is tipped to crack the magic $1 million-a-year mark with his next deal as his manager Sam Ayoub ramps up talks with the club.
Walters says both deserve to be classed as marquee halves, despite critics highlighting their fifth play options and composure under pressure as a fatal flaw in the Broncos finals campaign.
Ben Hunt’s game management copped some criticism in 2016. Pic Peter WallisSource: News Corp Australia
“Some of (the criticism) was warranted but some of it was out of line as well,” Walters said.
“Sometimes when you’re playing as a half you can only play as well as what your forward pack is laying down for you.
“Sure sometimes, they could have been a bit better, a bit more composed, but the same could be said about any player.
“I think Milford and Hunt are aware of that and certainly they know they’ve got to continue to grow as players.
“Milf’s only 22 years old as well, people forget how young he is. Ben Hunt, he’s a little bit older, but he’s only really played three seasons as an out and out halfback at first grade.
“So I think both players have got a lot to work on, sure. But their ability is encouraging.”
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...h/news-story/8d879d5f163003274b6a483e87776176
Interesting statements (in bold) regarding Walters coaching influence and desire to work with him/them.
Also, I will be even more interested to see how dominant our pack can be this year to assess what Hunt may have to play behind, if indeed he does come next year.
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