EXCLUSIVE: BRISBANE hierarchy have ended months of speculation over coach Anthony Griffin's future by guaranteeing his job for next season even if the Broncos miss this year's finals.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos board has given unequivocal support to Griffin, whose tenure has come into question amid Brisbane's dramatic slide to 13th place on the NRL table.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has been an influential figure, telling Broncos chief executive Paul White at a meeting last week Griffin is the coach to preside over a reinvigoration of the club.

The Broncos are facing the worst season in their 25-year history and must win six of their last eight games, including Friday night's clash against Cronulla, to make the playoffs.

Is Anthony Griffin the right man to take the Broncos forward? Vote below

But if the Broncos capitulate and miss the finals for the second time in four seasons, Griffin will avoid the axe.

The 46-year-old is contracted until the end of 2015 and White, also a board member, confirmed Monday night Griffin will be at the helm next season irrespective of a finals fade out.

"I can categorically say this now: Anthony's job is safe, simple as that," White said.

"The club is fighting very hard to make the finals, there is still a job to be done this year. But myself and the board are convinced Anthony is the right man and the right coach for our club moving forward.

"The strong thing about Hook (Griffin) is that he is brutally honest, he's got an enormous work ethic and he treats people with respect.

"He is building the right culture for our club. We are going through a tough period at the moment, we are being challenged and we are right to be challenged.

"I'm just as accountable and my job is to make sure everyone in this organisation has everything they need to succeed in an industry where the bar keeps getting higher.

"It (sacking Griffin) is not a reaction we are contemplating."



KEVIN WALTERS SHOULD BE BRONCOS COACH: TALLIS

Brisbane great Gorden Tallis said on Sunday he believed Kevin Walters is tailor-made to rebuild the Broncos but Lockyer, the club's most-capped player, urged powerbrokers to stay patient with Griffin.

"I've said to a few people, including Paul White, that Anthony is the right coach for the Broncos," Lockyer said.

"I have been coached by plenty of coaches and from my experience, Hook is very good.

"The coach has got what it takes, but it is probably the resources around him that can improve.

"If the Broncos can add one or two matchwinners to their roster, they are a force.

media_camera Coach Anthony Griffin at Broncos training. Picture: Jono Searle

"Hook is very direct with the players, he is not a coach to make excuses. I like his attitude and the style he coaches.

"I'm confident he can make Brisbane a competitive powerhouse again."

Broncos legend Walters, an assistant coach at Melbourne, is off-contract at season's end.

He has been linked with a return to Brisbane but says he is undecided about his future.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing next year," he said.

"My family are still in Brisbane, but I will see what happens for the rest of the season.

"They (Brisbane) do need to make the finals. Knowing the Broncos and the culture that has been up there, they won't give up ... but they are making it hard for themselves."



Originally published as Off the Hook: Griffin's season ticket