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'We let Walsh down': recalled Bronco set to unlock star
Joel Gould, AAP •  August 5th, 2026 8:09 am
Billy Walters (right) and Reece Walsh (left) will start together for the first time this season | Photo: Jono Searle/AAP
Brisbane talisman Reece Walsh has failed to reach the heights of 2025 but recalled hooker Billy Walters insists his teammates have let him down.
Walters will get a chance to assist Walsh to hit last year's heights when he gets his first start of the season for the Broncos at No.9 after premiership-winning rake Cory Paix was left out of the 22.
The Broncos, in 15th position on 18 points, play the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night with their premiership defence over. They can't make the finals, even if they were to win all remaining five matches.
Last year Walsh caught fire at fullback to inspire the side to the title.
In 21 matches in 2025 he scored 14 tries, had 26 try assists and made 10 line breaks.
In 14 matches this season Walsh has scored six tries. He has 10 try assists and five line breaks.
Those statistics only tell a fraction of the story in a season where Brisbane's forwards have been overpowered and the halves combinations failed to fire.
Ezra Mam, Tom Duffy, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt have all been underwhelming for the most part when used in the halves.
Duffy has been recalled against the Dolphins at No.7 due to a concussion to skipper Reynolds.
Billy Walters (left) has often got the best out of Reece Walsh | Photo: Jono Searle/AAP
Walsh has tried hard but often he is left chasing the game and without the help he needs.
There was hope the 24-year-old's man-of-the-match display in the 14-12 upset win over Penrith in round 20 might kick-start another late finals run, but the Broncos have been poor in their losses to North Queensland and Newcastle since.
"Walshy's a great player. We all saw what he did last year but it just hasn't seemed to click this year for him," Walters said.
"It's not just all on Walshy, it's a team sport. We've got to make sure we're doing everything we can to support him and get him in the best positions to let him do what he does.
"We've probably let him down in areas of that this year. We've all just got to take ownership of it."
Walters has only played in two matches off the bench in the last fortnight after returning from an ACL rupture.
Last year Walsh was at his best when Walters played five-eighth for six matches before suffering the season-ending injury in the semi-final win over Canberra.
Walters, 32, will get a chance to showcase his wares in his favourite hooking position.
Last week, in the 30-6 loss to the Knights, the son of club legend Kevin Walters received an almighty roar from home fans when he came onto the field.
Walters provided spark and the Broncos looked a better side when he was on the field.
Walters said he was "close" to getting his future sorted, with a two-year extension at the Broncos in the works.
"I want to be here and hopefully we can get that sorted pretty soon," he said.
The Gold Coast have been linked to Walters and he did not rule out moving away from the Broncos to finish his career.
"You never say never. Footy is a funny game," he said.
