Kevin Walters makes startling admission amid $4m detail around Reece Walsh and Payne Haas

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters believes there is no need for the Broncos to raid rival NRL clubs despite a dismal end to their 2024 campaign. The Broncos were battered by the Storm 50-12 on Thursday night, a somewhat fitting end to their disastrous NRL season.

In 2024, Brisbane looked like a shell of the side that almost took out last year's grand final. Brisbane's loss to Melbourne means they will finish the season in 12th - their biggest fall in club history after coming second in 2023 and making the grand final. And there is a sense that serious change is needed if they are to return to the premiership force they were just last year.

However, following the defeat to the Storm, Walters pointed to the $4 million worth of talent sidelined for Thursday night's game as the reason for their disjointed display. Reece Walsh is 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 dearly missed.

The 2024 season has also made it abundantly clear that the Broncos need to add some power to their forward pack. The Broncos conceded more than 600 points this year for just the third time in their history, highlighting their defensive woes.

Outside of Haas and Patrick Carrigan, the Broncos are seriously lacking in their forwards and have also told up-and-coming youngster Kobe Hetherington to look elsewhere. But they may be unable to bring in reinforcements due to the lack of available salary cap space.

But Walters believes as it stands he has the squad to compete for the premiership next season and shut down talks that the roster might look different next season after a horror 2024 campaign. "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."

Broncos' recruitment comes under the spotlight

Brisbane bosses will reportedly review $7 million worth of player contracts over the next two seasons as the Broncos face mounting pressure to break their 19-year premiership drought. Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee will review some of their questionable roster decisions and whether or not to renew the big contracts of Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo, Adam Reynolds and Haas as they near the end of their deals.

Last year the Broncos lost centre Herbie Farnworth and three top 17 forwards – Kurt Capewell, Tom Flegler and Keenan Palasia. In their place, Jaiyden Hunt, Jack Gosiewski and Fletcher Baker were brought in but none of the trio fired and they were all injured at various points in the season.

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The Broncos have held talks with Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh for next year and have already informed winger Corey Oates and prop Martin Taupau that they will not be getting offered new contracts. Walters will start a season review with staff and players on Monday and says he feels for the fans after a dismal season but will do everything in his power to turn things around.

"So that's what the next week is about … getting some answers and then putting that into practice for next year," he said. "We took a lot of steps back this year. I'm just extremely disappointed. I feel for all our fans and our sponsors and everyone involved in the club. It's not acceptable what happened this year, but we'll do a full review and get some positive answers and then start working on them."

with AAP