The Brisbane Broncos are facing significant injury setbacks following their 26-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans on Easter Saturday. Star fullback Reece Walsh is set to spend up to six weeks on the sidelines due to a fractured cheekbone sustained during a tackle in his 100th NRL match. Walsh was assessed for a head injury and subsequently taken to hospital.
In addition to Walsh, captain Ben Hunt has been diagnosed with a grade-three medial collateral ligament tear, which will keep him out for six to eight weeks. Halfback Adam Reynolds is also injured, expected to miss one to two weeks with a grade-two adductor longus strain—a common groin injury. Reynolds exited the match after 25 minutes and did not return, while Hunt played through his injury.
Although there were concerns about Ezra Mam, who appeared to limp during the match, Broncos coach Michael Maguire confirmed he was injury-free after performing strongly, contributing to the team’s success with two line breaks and a try.
Walsh shared videos from his hospital stay on Instagram and Snapchat, which he later deleted. One photo showed him in a moment of pain relief, but he also shared a touching image with his daughter, captioned “My people.”
The Broncos’ immediate challenge will be against the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. This match will follow with fixtures against Wests Tigers, Canterbury, and the Roosters. Coach Maguire expressed pride in his team’s resilience amid these injuries, highlighting their depth and commitment to supporting each other on the field.
“I’m really proud of how they’ve been fighting through this period,” Maguire stated. “They showed their resolve and what they’re capable of.” He noted that it’s crucial for the Broncos to perform despite the absences of key players, emphasising the squad’s depth as integral to their ongoing success.
Following Walsh’s injury, Jesse Arthars shifted to fullback, with Antonio Verhoeven making his NRL debut on the wing. Maguire is currently deciding whether to continue with Arthars or opt for Hayze Perham in the fullback role for the upcoming match against the Cowboys.
The Broncos are determined to maintain their winning streak despite these challenges and will rely on the strength of their squad to navigate this difficult stretch.