Corey Parker calls out Broncos move in warm-up that sums up damning Kevin Walters situation

Broncos great Corey Parker has called out Kevin Walters' team for a damning moment before the kick—off following the thrashing at the hands of the Melbourne Storm on Thursday. The Storm proved why they are the team to beat heading into the NRL finals having dismantled the Broncos 50-12 at Suncorp Stadium.

Walters is facing major pressure after his team showed little grit and determination in the thrashing as Jahrome Hughes carved apart the Broncos in the final regular game of the season. The Broncos may have been missing Reece Walsh and Payne Haas for their final game of 2024, but there was still pride to play for after a horror season that has seen them finish in 12th place.

However, leaders such as Patrick Carrigan were singled out for their lacklustre display in front of their own fans, which will leave a sour taste in their mouth heading into the off-season. And Broncos great Parker has also called out the players and coaching staff for the shocking scenes before kick-off.

Parker was in the crowd to watch the final regular game of the season, but it was pointed out to him by his daughter the difference in the warm-up between the minor premiers and the Broncos. And Parker couldn't believe his eyes with the lack of effort a real worry.

"I sat on the sideline last night and I watched the team warm-up and there was a real disconnect. My 14-year-old daughter who was in the stands, said: 'How come the Melbourne Storm look so structured and in sync in their warm-up and we don't?'" Parker said on SEN Radio.

"And it was a great point. Because it was so evident, from a viewing point, to where the Broncos are at as a group, and where the Melbourne Storm are at...we were a team that did not look like a team." Parker took aim at the team's performance and said it was alarming considering they made the NRL grand final in 2023.

"This is a team that went within 10 minutes to winning a grand final, to a team now that looks absolutely rudderless. That performance last night, just highlights the season that has been from the Brisbane Broncos," Parker said of the Broncos performance.

Parker is not alone in questioning the team's attitude with plenty of criticism levelled at coach Walters in the last few weeks. Despite dealing with injuries to key players throughout the season, Walters has been unable to lift a talented roster when called upon. However, the coach fervently denied the Broncos needed to look for recruits in 2025 having defended his playing group.

Kevin Walters under pressure heading into 2025 season

Walters was questioned after the 50-12 thrashing on whether new personnel would be added to the squad in 2025. The Broncos are dealing with a number of huge contracts i their salary cap with Walsh reportedly set to pen a four-year deal worth $1.2 million a season, while Payne Haas is raking in a whopping $1.1 million a season and Ezra Mam is on $800,000 a year. All three were sidelined for the match against the Storm and were missed.

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But Walters believes as it stands he has the squad to compete for the premiership next season. "Not a whole lot (will change with the squad)," Walters said. "I don't believe we need to (bring in new players). I honestly believe that the talent is inside the building.

"We've just got to get that talent all working together in the right direction. We've done it before and we'll do it again. We've got enough talent here. We had five guys, five of our starters (worth) $4 million dollars, sitting on the sidelines tonight. I'm not sure if anyone realised that, but we need to be better as a group and as a club than what we were tonight."