Warriors CEO: Why Walker brothers are in coaching frame

Ben and Shane Walker are known for their attacking innovations but their man management and defensive strategies are also why they're in the frame to fill the Warriors' coaching vacancy, according to CEO Cameron George.

"The Walker brothers bring a lot to the table as coaches and we are leaving no stone unturned," George told NRL.com on Thursday night.

"They bring a number of attributes to the game that are refreshing, innovative and certainly could enhance our individual players' talent."

After sacking Stephen Kearney as head coach the Warriors appointed his assistant Todd Payten as the interim coach for the rest of 2020.

An extensive and thorough search is now under way to lead the club into the next era and George confirmed he interviewed the Walkers this week.

The Walker brothers coached the Ipswich Jets to Intrust Super Cup and NRL State Championship titles in 2015 and guided the club to six finals appearances in nine years. The three seasons the Jets missed the semi-finals it was by just one win.

The Walkers embraced a style of attacking football based on support play once championed by legendary Toowoomba coach Duncan Thompson, known as "contract football".

That expansive approach, which has been a feature of the Warriors at their best, appeals to George but he said there was a lot more to the Walkers coaching credentials than that.

The Walkers have experience in running a club from top to bottom for a decade on the smell of an oily rag and that experience also is valued by George.

"Everyone loves to see an exciting brand of footy and footballers play to their potential and from what I have seen the Walkers really focus on that," George said.

"The brothers focus on having those key relationships in place and they have done it very hands-on in Ipswich in their role and they have had some success.

"It is not a huge departure from what any rugby league club is looking for.

"They are not all about attack. The way they play puts points on the board but from talking to them I know defence is a very important part, which was really good to hear."

George said he was impressed with how the man management of the Walkers had been spoken of by the players they have coached.

"That also comes through when they talk to you about their way of doing things," George said.

"They are very focused on player development and individuals meeting their greatest potential which is what we are all trying to do on and off the field in footy.

"That was a really key part of their message to us which is great.

"In due course we will weigh all that up when we look at the feedback and the interviews that we have undertaken."

George was a handy halfback himself in his day and played for West Tamworth in the 1999 Group 4 grand final when Rothman's Medal winner Ewan McGrady was his opposite number for the Moree Boars.

It is the style of football epitomised by McGrady, and championed by the Walkers in the players they coach, that also has impressed George who said the Warriors were not rushing the search for their next coach.

"Clearly they have a different mindset to what tradition has thrown up but they have had success," he said.

"We as a club are looking to be successful in the future and leaving no stone unturned. We will see what best suits our club moving forward and different methodologies and philosophies so it was a really refreshing chat to have.

"We obviously made the decision with Stephen that enabled us a bit of time to go through it.

"We as a club are making sure we explore everything to get the best solution. We don't want to just be winners tomorrow. We want to continue to win for many, many years so we are in no hurry."

While co-coaches are not in vogue in the NRL, George said that was not an issue.

"I got the impression that it is not one or the other. They are a team," he said.

"That is fantastic on their part that they demonstrate that and you see the synergy between them and the connection they have got because that is critical when you have got a dual unit as opposed to an individual."