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Important update on 1476AMWalsh faces D-day as Broncos embrace more adversity
Joel Gould, AAP •  April 28th, 2026 5:14 pm
Reece Walsh is hoping to be cleared to return from a facial fracture suffered against Gold Coast | Photo: Jason O'Brien/AAP
Brisbane get Test forward Pat Carrigan back from suspension and it will be a pair of aces if fullback Reece Walsh gets through one final hurdle.
Walsh trained in a red no-contact bib on Tuesday but he moved well as he aims to return from a facial fracture away against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old will see a specialist on Wednesday morning who will decide whether the 2025 grand final hero can return from the injury he sustained in the round five win over Gold Coast.
The imminent return of Pat Carrigan will bring some relief to an undermanned Broncos outfit | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
While Carrigan returns from a two-week suspension the Broncos will be without banned bench forward Preston Riki and starting second-rower Brendan Piakura (knee) against the Roosters.
The Broncos have been superb without at least 12 of their top 30 players, notching wins over Wests Tigers and Canterbury while understrength.
The resilience of the team has been a highlight with centre Kotoni Staggs and second-rower Jordan Riki both playing through painful foot injuries.
In-form Broncos winger Deine Mariner said playing with injuries and through hardship was a benchmark that lifted the entire squad.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds returned after missing a week with a painful rib injury and has been one of the team's best with two masterful displays.
"There is a massive belief within the team. You can see it out there," Mariner said.
"I am pretty proud of some of the boys efforts, especially Reyno. He is getting a bit old but he is still showing up. When you see someone like that doing that it gives you no excuse not to play as well."
Mariner trained with bandaged legs on Tuesday. Last week he suffered a knee injury at training but bounced back to have a blinder in the 32-12 win over Canterbury.
"It was just a little scare," Mariner said.
"Nothing too serious. It is something I can play on so I will be alright. I will get some work on it during the week and I will be right to play."
Broncos players are also switching positions and shining.
Back-rower Jack Gosiewski started at prop last week and made 42 tackles.
"It was something a little bit different, probably not what I was expecting to be playing at this stage of the year," Gosiewski said.
"But it's a next man up situation at the moment so I got in there and did my job as best as I could."
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