There’s a certain energy radiating out of Red Hill right now — and no one is feeling it more than Kevin Walters’ right-hand man, Ben “Benny” Ikin. The Brisbane Broncos’ general manager of football has worn plenty of heat over the past few seasons, steering the club through a turbulent rebuild that tested both leadership and loyalty. But after years of hard work, bold recruitment calls, and a return to the top of the NRL ladder, Benny is genuinely happy for the Bronx.
It’s been a long time coming. Just a few seasons ago, the Broncos were a club searching for their identity. They’d lost their swagger, their star power, and, most importantly, their belief. When Ikin arrived in 2021, he brought a clear message — culture first. He wanted the Broncos to rediscover what made them great in the first place: pride in the jersey, accountability on and off the field, and a deep connection with the community that built the club. Now, as the 2025 season wraps up, those foundations have transformed into something special.
You can see it in the players’ body language. Reece Walsh’s electric confidence, Payne Haas’ relentless engine, and Pat Carrigan’s leadership all reflect a team that’s united and hungry. The heartbreak of last year’s Grand Final loss seems to have fuelled them rather than broken them. And behind the scenes, Ikin’s fingerprints are all over the resurgence — his influence in stabilising the football department, refining recruitment, and aligning Walters’ coaching vision with the front office has turned chaos into cohesion.
“Benny’s been massive for this club,” Walters recently said. “He’s brought structure, but he’s also brought care. He wants the Broncos to be a powerhouse again — not just for a year, but for a generation.”
That sentiment rings true. Ikin, a former Bronco himself who played in the club’s golden era, understands what it means to represent Brisbane. This isn’t just a job to him — it’s personal. He’s seen both sides of success: the glory of premierships and the grind of rebuilding. So when the Broncos started to find their rhythm again, when the roar at Suncorp began to sound like the old days, you could see that quiet satisfaction on his face.
Benny is happy for the Bronx because he knows how far they’ve come. He’s seen the young stars mature, the veterans buy in, and the fan base reignite with belief. The club is once again a destination team — the kind that attracts elite talent and keeps its homegrown heroes. That doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the product of patience, planning, and a relentless commitment to culture.
As the Broncos gear up for another run at premiership glory, Ikin’s contentment isn’t about self-congratulation. It’s about pride — pride in the people, pride in the process, and pride in seeing Brisbane back where they belong.
After years of doubt and disappointment, Benny can finally look around Red Hill and smile. The Bronx are back — and no one is happier than him.
