2022 was a busy year for the NRL's coaching carousel, with three first-grade mentors out of a job before the end of June.
Trent Barrett, Michael Maguire and Nathan Brown all felt the wrath of undelivered expectations and have paved the way for the next generation, while the Tigers have gone back to a tried-and-trusted method by re-hiring Tim Sheens.
But while brand new coaches and revered figures are likely to be given some time to implement their grand plans, there are a number of coaches at the other end – feeling the pressure after a disappointing or at least heavily scrutinised 2022 campaign.
4. Kevin Walters (Brisbane)
The Broncos enjoyed a starkly different close to the season gone by than Arthur's Eels. It was an oft-repeated fact during their late-season collapse that the Broncos were on the cusp of the Top 4 in Round 19, only to blow it immensely and miss out on the finals altogether.
Up until recently, fans have been relatively happy with Walters' efforts to return the Broncos to the esteemed heights they're familiar with. The disastrous wooden spoon season has faded into forgettable history as the team finished 14th and then ninth, and fans should be deservedly optimistic about the plethora of talented youngsters who have made their NRL debuts in that time – but it will be finals or bust at Red Hill this year and any early indications they might not make it will force Ben Ikin's hand.
The playing ranks are laden with talent but those young prospects will have greater expectations hanging over them after another year of NRL experience. But the one who'll pay if those expectations aren't met won't be the playing group but rather their mentor.
The balance between incoming and outgoing players seems relatively even, with Reece Walsh leading the contingent of new recruits. Despite assumptions he'd fit straight into fullback when he was announced by the Broncos it appears Walters is still undecided about who'll take the custodial role – and that's a decision that needs to be made promptly.
Brisbane will get as good a test of their credentials as they could ask for in the first two weeks, with a game against the premiers closely followed by a XXXX Derby with the high-flying Cowboys. More appealing clashes follow, but if the Broncos are winless when they face the Dolphins in Round 4 expect a lot of question marks to already be hanging around Walters' future.
