The young fullback’s demeanor was noticeably different from that of his Brisbane teammates.
Brisbane Broncos players have rallied around Reece Walsh after he appeared dejected while his teammates celebrated their victory over the Cowboys. The Broncos secured a 26-16 win on Friday night, bouncing back after their loss to the Raiders the previous week.
Despite the triumph, Walsh was visibly disappointed with his second consecutive underwhelming performance. The 22-year-old contributed to a try for Jesse Arthars in the second half, broke four tackles, and ran 141 meters.
However, he also committed five errors, following four mistakes in the previous match against Canberra. Walsh mishandled the ball multiple times while trying to create opportunities for his teammates, with two of his errors occurring on the first tackle.
On the field, Walsh displayed frustration, and his disappointment carried into the dressing room, where he remained subdued while his teammates enthusiastically sang the victory song.
Broncos Players Stand Behind Walsh
Patrick Carrigan was seen offering Walsh support, noticing his low spirits. Other teammates have also spoken up in defense of the young fullback. Ben Hunt acknowledged Walsh’s struggles but praised his positive contributions. “People might criticize Reece for some things, but he had some great moments,” Hunt said. “A 40-20 kick, a try assist, and his defense was excellent.”
Hunt also highlighted Walsh’s resilience. “One of the best things about Reece is that he doesn’t dwell on mistakes. He keeps playing his game, and we’ll continue to encourage him to do that.”
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds remains confident in Walsh’s ability to turn things around. “He played well, ran the ball hard, and organized the defense. He saved tries in the corner. We often focus on the small errors, but he’s doing a lot of great things, and he’ll come through this,” Reynolds said.
Michael Maguire Backs Walsh to Rebound
Coach Michael Maguire also commended Walsh’s defensive efforts, noting improvements made in training after the Raiders match. “Our defensive line was strong, and that starts with Reece at the back,” Maguire said. “Defense is just as important as attack, and I thought he was excellent in that regard.”
Maguire admitted that Walsh might be putting too much pressure on himself when in possession and encouraged him to focus more on running rather than forcing plays. “I’ve coached players like Reece who go through rough patches, but these experiences shape them and make them better,” he said.
“He might not see it now, but working through this will make him stronger. He has a supportive team around him, and he’ll be fine.”
