In a dramatic conclusion to the match, Reece Walsh’s potential game-winning try for the Brisbane Broncos faced an unexpected twist, leaving both fans and coach Michael Maguire stunned. The try, initially celebrated, was swiftly reviewed by the Bunker after referee Todd Smith noticed a possible offside during the play. While Maguire initially appeared joyful as the review began, his expression quickly changed when the Bunker ruled against him.
Legendary league player Billy Slater posed the pivotal question during the commentary: “Was Reece Walsh onside?” The Bunker’s investigation revealed that Walsh had indeed been in front of Gehamat Shibasaki when the kick was made, resulting in the try being disallowed. Phil Gould lamented, “Wow. That is heartbreaking for the Broncos,” encapsulating the sense of disappointment that spread throughout the team and its supporters.
After the disallowed try, Walsh’s reaction mirrored the collective sentiment of the Broncos, who had merely 44 seconds left to regroup before halftime. Ben Hunt voiced his discontent with the call, admitting he initially believed it to be a valid try. Reflecting on a similar incident from a previous game, where James Tedesco was awarded a try despite being offside, Hunt suggested discrepancies in officiating decisions might exist.
Zac Lomax of the Eels also shared his relief, recounting how his chest tightened as he saw Walsh cross the line, only to feel gratitude once the Bunker overturned the decision. “Thank god we were on the right end of the stick that time,” Lomax remarked.
As the Broncos grappled with their disallowed try and the game’s outcome, their aspirations for a top-four finish seemed overshadowed. Hunt acknowledged the team’s poor performance, stating, “We probably didn’t deserve to win tonight. We made too many errors.” Maguire echoed his sentiments in the post-match press conference, emphasising the need for the team to maintain focus and effort for the entire 80 minutes, stating, “It goes right to the death of the game.”
In the aftermath of this encounter, the Broncos must reflect on their mistakes and recalibrate their strategies to enhance their performance as they look to secure a competitive position in the league.