MELBOURNE'S master mentor Craig Bellamy has lost a key lieutenant with Broncos great Kevin Walters quitting as the Storm's assistant coach.

Walters will return to Brisbane at season's end eyeing an NRL coaching gig and could be added to Mal Meninga's team of assistants at Camp Maroon next year.

The 45-year-old told Storm players before training on Thursday his decision was motivated primarily by a desire to return to family.

The timing may be perfect with all three Queensland-based NRL coaches under pressure to perform.

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright is in danger of missing the finals for the third consecutive year, while Cowboys counterpart Neil Henry will almost certainly be axed if his side fails to make the top eight.

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin is currently presiding over the worst season in the club's history, although Broncos hierarchy say he is safe for the 2014 season.

Walters has the backing to contribute to the Broncos. Just a fortnight ago, Walters received a glowing endorsement from Broncos great Gorden Tallis, who believes his former teammate is tailormade to resurrect the Broncos as a premiership force.

It is understood Walters is returning to Brisbane with no concrete coaching opportunities but the former Broncos assistant has made it clear he is ready to breakthrough as an NRL mentor.

After the Storm's recent defeat of the Broncos in Melbourne, Walters said he had no definitive plans for 2014.

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

"I've been doing one-year deals with Melbourne. I haven't made a decision about next year and what I'm doing.

"It's a great club here and they are doing some fantastic things. My family are up there but I will see what happens for the rest of the season and make a decision then on what I am going to do."

Earlier this season, Meninga travelled to Melbourne to meet with Walters as the Queensland super coach weighs up possible candidates to succeed him in the Maroons post.

Walters is likely to play some role with Queensland next season and he is firming as the favourite to eventually replace Meninga as Maroons coach.

"If someone else wants the job, for example I think 'Kevvie' Walters is ready for it ... if it's the right time for me to go I'm OK with that," Meninga said last month.

"He's been unlucky, 'Kevvie'. I think he would be a good coach of Queensland. He knows the game, he has that sense of fun, he does all that coaching with Melbourne."

Originally published as Three-way tussle for coach Kevvie