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“He gets looked after, he gets wrapped in cotton wool these days … when we have to do a bit of defence or contact, he seems to be off the field. But he’s been there and done that – he doesn’t really need to do that any more.
“I know they’re pretty keen to keep me, so I suppose it’s not too much of a rush. There was bigger fish to fry with Walshy and Ezra and Reyno, but I’m sure it’ll get done – hopefully in the next couple of weeks.”
While 13 of the Broncos’ grand final 17 will be ready to take on the Roosters on March 3, the final make-up of the side still has some mystery.
Billy Walters had a career-best season for the Broncos in 2023.Credit: Getty
Aside from the forward pack battle to replace the outgoing Thomas Flegler and Keenan Palasia, who dons the No.14 jumper has become a toss-up.
Coach Kevin Walters preferred to take a second hooker into each contest last year, with Cory Paix eventually unseated by Tyson Smoothy, but livewire fullback Tristan Sailor revealed he and the coach had discussed his being deployed as a super sub in 2024.
But Billy Walters said while he had set himself the goal of becoming an 80-minute dummy-half this year, he felt the start of the campaign would be too early to make that vision a reality.
“I think probably safe [playing with a hooker on the bench], especially for the start of the year – you’re always trying to find your match fitness, so it’s probably a bit safer to have another hooker on the bench,” Walters said.
Tristan Sailor of the Broncos and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Dolphins compete for the ball during the Battle of Brisbane at the Gabba in July.Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
“I kind of made it a bit of a goal of mine to play 80 minutes this year, but Kevvie hasn’t harped on too much about that.
“He thinks the game’s moved away from the 80-minute hooker – obviously there are still a couple of 80-minute hookers there – but he’d rather I give a good 40, 50, 60 minutes rather than trying to save my lungs or not go as hard as I can to try and save myself.
“He’s looking for quality minutes from me instead of long minutes. So as long as I’m busting my guts and working hard all the time I’m on the field, he’s happy to bring me off.”
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