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Sport Nation
Star fullback on the verge of return for struggling Broncos
Charles Goodsir • June 3rd, 2025 12:34 pm
The Brisbane Broncos could be buoyed by the return of star fullback Reece Walsh in their must-win clash against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
The Broncos have lost six of their past seven fixtures and are reeling in 11th spot on the NRL ladder with a 5-7 record.
Walsh suffered a knee injury in Brisbane’s Round 7 loss to the Warriors in New Zealand which forced the 22-year-old to also miss out on Queensland State of Origin selection.
With the Broncos desperate to snap their losing streak, The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel revealed to SEN that Walsh is in frame for selection in Round 14.
“I’m hearing that Reece Walsh is a chance of returning this week,” Badel told SENQ Breakfast.
“He was meant to come back last week but then he tweaked his knee at training.
“At the moment, he’s due to return against the Cronulla Sharks in Round 16. I’ve been told that he’s a 50/50 chance this week.
“The Broncos just have to see how he goes at training and coach Michael Maguire will give him right up until the captain’s run on Friday to make himself available.
“He could be playing this week.”
It has been a tumultuous 20 months since the Broncos lost the 2023 Grand Final in heartbreaking circumstances to Penrith. After being Premiership favourites entering the 2024 season, Brisbane would go on to miss the finals and subsequently sack beloved coach Kevin Walters.
With Maguire now at the helm, results have failed to improve and Badel believes senior management at the Broncos need to speak up amid growing unrest and turmoil.
“Dave Donaghy, the CEO, or the Chairman, Karl Morris, need to come out on the front foot with a strong message,” Badel added.
“In times of adversity, you need to see the leaders of the club taking a bullet for the players.
“It shows the players that (the leaders of the club) are also held accountable and it would be prudent for the CEO to come out, give a mid-season report card and answer the tough questions that players shouldn’t have to answer.
“If there are cultural issues or dressing room unrest, those are the questions the CEO has to answer.
“I think he has to come out. We haven’t heard from him yet but let’s hope we do.”
The Broncos host the Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
