Latest news with #ReeceWalsh
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Massive double blow for Broncos an Qld after veteran suffers injury 'setback'
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a fresh blow after the bye round with Michael Maguire still unable to select Ben Hunt after the star suffered a slight setback during his recovery. Broncos coach Maguire is facing plenty of pressure to get the club back on a winning streak having only won two of his last eight games in charge. The Broncos were able to bounce back against the Titans before the bye thanks to the return of Reece Walsh with the squad able to rest up and reset before round 16. Maguire would have been hoping to have the experience of Hunt back for selection against the Sharks this weekend as the Broncos look to carry over the momentum against the 5th placed team. The veteran has not featured in the starting XIII after injuring himself in round 10. Hunt injured his hamstring against the Rabbitohs and limped off the field during the loss. In Hunt's absence, Ezra Mam slotted into five-eighth role after his NRL suspension came to an end. And the coach is expected to use Hunt as the No.9 when he returns, which would see Cory Paix or Billy Walters drop out of the side. Hunt has thrived in the representative arena throughout his career as a No.9, which saw him play some of his best footy for Queensland during State of Origin. While he has played as a halfback for the majority of his NRL career, he was always signed at the Broncos with the idea of playing a dummy-half role with Adam Reynolds their chief playmaker. But Maguire hasn't had the opportunity to start Hunt in this role and he will have to wait with the veteran set to spend another week on the sideline. Hunt hasn't recovered in time for the Sharks clash with his hamstring not ready. This could also be seen as a blow for Queensland coach Billy Slater. Harry Grant has enjoyed his best Origin moments coming off the bench for Queensland with Hunt starting and taking on the early workload. While Hunt was no certainty to play in 2025, Slater would have liked the option of choosing the veteran having chopped and changed his team for Game 2 in Perth. RELATED: Canberra Raiders 'fuming' after key figure signs with Roosters NRL world sends flood of messages over news about Yvonne Sampson Maguire will also be dealing with a setback to his thin forward pack stocks with an injury adding to the drama. The coach will be hoping NSW prop Payne Haas backs up after Origin on Wednesday with Ben Te Kura ruled out for six to eight weeks. Te Kura had only just joined the side in recent weeks having gone back to QLD Cup and proved his worth to Maguire in the first-half of the season. However, Te Kura will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injury, according to AAP reporter Joel Gould. Te Kura's injury could have also prompted Maguire to bolster the forward depth by signing journeyman forward Ben Talty with immediate effect. Talty has been in the Melbourne Storm system since 2023, plying his trade with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Fletch seeks REVENGE on Reece Walsh
NRL: Fletch and Hindy sit down with the Broncos and seek revenge on superstar fullback Reece Walsh for a prank last year.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Under-pressure Brisbane Broncos take extraordinary measure after recent controversies and rumours of player unrest engulf the club
A recent number of controversial incidents have forced the Brisbane Broncos to take a huge measure to maintain the club's reputation. Following the fallout relating to Ezra Mam's car crash, Reece Walsh's punch video and the sacking of Marty Taupau, the Broncos have hired a crisis management expert, according to reports. Buzz Rothfield of The Courier Mail writes that Grant Williams, a renowned reputation management expert, has joined the club. The NRL journalist added that Williams was 'rushed in to protect the club and its brand'. The footy club have been dragged into several off-field controversies this year, and the club have opted to draft in a crisis management expert to provide advice on multiple operational matters. Rothfield adds that Williams, who has previously worked with the NRL's media and communications set-up and worked as an advisor to NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller, will work with players and managers at the club. That work is due to pertains mostly to their responsibilities in line with the NRL's rules on conduct and social media use. Mam pleaded guilty to one count of driving with a relevant drug in his system and another count of driving without a licence for an incident that took place in Bardon, Brisbane, last October. He was fined $120,000 by the NRL and the Broncos and handed a nine-match ban after he had crashed into an Uber taxi, injuring a four-year-old girl. Meanwhile, the Broncos were left furious at Walsh after he uploaded a bizarre and worrying video of himself appearing to punch a friend with a boxing glove on. Another player, Taupau parted company from the football club on amicable terms after he had appeared to like a social media post openly criticising Michael Maguire. The Broncos boss himself has also had a turbulent induction to life at the Clive Berghofer Centre. Williams' website states that he is a 'public affairs, strategic communications and media management advisory, providing crisis, issues and reputation management to companies organisations, family offices, boards, chairs chief executive officers, professionals and individuals.' His website adds that Williams will: 'personally prepare you for any crisis or issue' as well as 'identifying risks before they happen and provide a 24/7 urgent and bespoke response when they do'. Williams told Rothfield: 'The Broncos are a tremendous club and I'm looking forward to supporting their team with strategic counsel where required.' On the pitch, the Broncos have had a mixed season, despite being pipped to be a premiership contender prior to 2025. However, they have struggled to consistently perform, with Brisbane having won only one of their last five matches. Earlier this week, boss Dave Donaghy has also criticised claims that there is a fractured changing room at the club, throwing his support behind Maguire. There have been suggestions that the Broncos boss is facing a player revolt, but Donaghy said: 'The talk of unrest is simply not true. 'I'm not there every day, but I have asked the football department to give me some feedback if there is some discontent and I've had nothing come back of that nature. 'I have asked questions. We had a board meeting last week, we had 'Madge' in to talk about things and one of the directors was at training and they called me and said the players have been nothing but positive of Madge. 'Myself and the directors walk around the club and we get a feel if there's some major issues. We see none of that. The issue we see is Madge has come into reset a team and it could take longer than we thought.'
News.com.au
08-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Reece Walsh says ‘I'm ready' to make State of Origin return
Reece Walsh returned in style for the Brisbane Broncos and now the star fullback is putting his hand up for the Maroons. Walsh was sidelined for six weeks with a PCL injury, but showed flashes of brilliance against the Gold Coast Titans as the Broncos secured the 44-14 victory. The 22-year-old was so keen to get back on the park he reportedly told Broncos coaches to shut up and let him play, according to CODE Sports. 'I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there,'' Walsh said. 'It is good to be back. It feels good. I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself.'' After losing the Origin opener, several question marks hang over the Maroons squad with Walsh giving selectors something to think about at fullback. 'If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go,' Walsh said. Slater was quizzed on a potential Walsh recall, but the Maroons coach kept his cards close to his chest but did concede he would be in the discussion. 'I have actually had this injury (a PCL). I know exactly what Reece was going through when he went down towards the back end of the game. 'Posterior cruciate ligaments can be quite painful and, to be honest, Reece is going to have to play with that for the rest of the season. It is something he will have to manage for the rest of the year. 'The other thing you have to think about is when you throw names up you have to take someone out. So it's a balance.'' Warriors star earns Maroons recall New Zealand Warriors stalwart Kurt Capewell is reportedly set to be named in the Queensland side after remaining in Australia as his teammates returned home. The 31-year-old played in Game 2 and 3 of the 2024 series, but was ultimately dropped for the 2025 series opener and was omitted from the 20-man squad. According to AAP, Capewell is set to be rewarded for his strong club form, having spent time in the back row and centres this season under Andrew Webster. The veteran back rower has already played 11 games for his state, having featured in all three fixtures in 2020, 2021 and 2022. However, he didn't feature in 2023 before he was recalled on the bench in Game 2 last season and then in the back row in the decider. DCE's Origin career all but over Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to be dropped by the Maroons for State of Origin Game 2. In what looms as the biggest selection call of Billy Slater's tenure so far, the Queensland coach is weighing up his halves combination for Game 2 after his side was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener. According to Code Sports, Slater is currently leaning towards axing Cherry-Evans in a bombshell selection move, with the veteran's Origin career 'all but over'. If Cherry-Evans is dropped, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden would be named at halfback to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster after impressing off the bench in several Origin games.
The Advertiser
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Walsh sends Slater a message after star Broncos return
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more." Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more." Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more."
