Reports of Billy Walter’s NRL death are greatly exaggerated it seems.
When his club legend father, Kevin, was unceremoniously removed as Brisbane Broncos head coach following the 2024 season, there were plenty who suggested Walters wouldn’t be too far behind—not least due to a log-jam of hookers and the imminent return of Maroons veteran, Ben Hunt.
Things looked ominous at the start of 2025, as new coach Michael Maguire gave Cory Paix first shot at hooker, with Hunt shifting to five-eighth to cover the suspension of Ezra Mam.
Fast forward four months, however, and the 31-year-old utility has now featured in 16 matches under Maguire and looms as a key piece as the Broncos chase their first NRL premiership since 2006.
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Versatile and energetic, Walters played 26 minutes off the bench in the Round 19 win over the Gold Coast, crossing for a crucial solo try in the 61st minute to halt a spirited Titans revival.
In the previous round, Walters scored an equally critical four-pointer as Brisbane iced a stirring late comeback against the Bulldogs, scooting from dummy half to catch the tiring Canterbury defence napping at Accor Stadium.
‘Enjoy Super League’
It’s a long way from a pre-season that saw Walters dealing with regular online abuse and relentless accusations of being little more than a ‘nepo baby’.
“I’m not going to lie, there was probably about a half an hour after getting the news (about his father’s sacking) where I thought, ‘I don’t want to be at the club’,” Walters told The Daily Telegraph back in October last year.
“I’ve received a lot of messages and comments through social media, people telling me to ‘enjoy Super League’ or Queensland Cup.
“But I’m keen to prove the haters wrong, that I wasn’t wearing the number nine because my dad was the coach,” he added defiantly.
Despite the presence of Paix, Hunt and Mam, Walters has played in all but one of the Broncos’ matches in 2025, including five starts.
The recent two-year contract extension for young Brisbane hooker Blake Mozer shapes as the next threat to his long-term future at Red Hill, but it’s nothing new for the 31-year-old.
Walters remains contracted until the end of 2026—but should he decide to jump ship on his own terms he would be free to negotiate with NRL rivals from November 1.
First, there’s the small matter of the NRL finals and a 19-year premiership drought.