Billy Walters (born 9 February 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker or five-eighth for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL).
He previously played for the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers in the NRL.
Background
Walters was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
At age four, Walters lost his mother Kim to breast cancer. Walters is the son of the Brisbane Broncos and former Maroons coach Kevin Walters and nephew of former Maroons players Kerrod Walters and Steve Walters. He attended Marist College Ashgrove, Brisbane, where he played Rugby Union for the schools First XV before graduating in 2011.[2]
Playing career
2019
Walters made his NRL debut in round 16 for the Melbourne Storm against St. George Illawarra. He had his jersey (cap 196) presented to him by his father and former Melbourne Storm assistant coach Kevin Walters.[3][4]
On 12 September, Walters signed a two-year deal with the Wests Tigers that would take him to the end of 2021.
2020
In round 1 of the 2020 NRL season, Walters made his club debut for the Wests Tigers, starting the match at hooker. In round 10 of the 2020 NRL season, Walters scored his first try in the top grade as Wests Tigers defeated Brisbane 48-0 at Leichhardt Oval.[5]
2021
On 6 September, Walters was one of five players who were released by the Wests Tigers club.[6] He was subsequently signed by the Brisbane Broncos to play under the coaching of his father, Kevin, in 2022.
2022
Walters played 23 games for Brisbane in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 9th on the table and missed the finals.[7]
2023
In round 15 of the 2023 NRL season, Walters played his 50th NRL game. In round 24, Walters scored two tries for Brisbane in their 54-10 victory over Parramatta.[8] In the 2023 preliminary final, Walters scored two tries in a 42-12 win over the New Zealand Warriors, helping the Brisbane club get to their first grand final in eight years.[9] Walters played 26 matches for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season. Walters played in Brisbane's 26-24 loss against Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.[10]
2024
Walters played 23 games for Brisbane in the 2024 NRL season which saw the club miss the finals finishing 12th on the table.[11]
Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |  Melbourne Storm
|
2 | ||
| 2020 |  Wests Tigers
|
8 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 | |||
| 2022 |  Brisbane Broncos
|
23 | 3 | 12 |
| 2023 | 26 | 6 | 24 | |
| 2024 | 23 | 3 | 12 | |
| Totals | 84 | 13 | 52 |
*denotes season competing
References
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Notable Ashgrovians".
- ^ "Round 16 NRL team announcements". NRL.com. 3 July 2019.
- ^ "Billy Walters presented with jersey from father Kevin Walters". Fox Sports. 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Billy Walters scores first try". www.foxsports.com. 17 July 2020.
- ^ "Joey Leilua fearing for NRL career as Wests Tigers see off enigmatic centre, four teammates". wwos.nine.com.au.
- ^ "NRL 2022: Brisbane Broncos season review". www.sportingnews.com. 31 August 2022.
- ^ "'Put a line through': Eels disaster leaves season in ruins as Broncos run riot". www.news.com.au.
- ^ "Kev-olution complete: Broncos book GF as Wahs whacked by 'absolute freak'". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "'Really can't hide': Queensland superstars back under-siege Walters amid Broncos review". www.foxsports.com.au.
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