Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has chosen to highlight the positive elements of Reece Walsh’s performance during the victory over the North Queensland Cowboys, despite the fullback having a challenging night. Walsh faced scrutiny for a shoulder charge on Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi, and he recorded five errors throughout the game. Nevertheless, he contributed significantly by assisting winger Jesse Arthars for a try and executing a crucial 40/20 kick in the first half, which also resulted in a try.
This performance follows a difficult outing against Canberra, where Walsh made four errors. However, Maguire commended Walsh’s defensive efforts during the intense local derby. He stated, “We had a strong defensive line which can be attributed to what Reece does from the back. It’s a balance of defence and attack, and I thought Reece excelled defensively.” He noted that for a team to defend effectively, a fullback like Walsh must rally the players together, which he observed happening during the match.
Despite the mistakes, Walsh displayed persistence, making 23 runs for a total of 137 metres. According to Maguire, such experiences are vital in a player’s development. He explained, “I’ve seen players like Reece encounter rough patches, and these moments can help shape who they become as athletes. While he may not see it now, I believe he will emerge stronger from this, especially with the support he has around him.”
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds echoed Maguire’s sentiments as the team prepares for their upcoming clash against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. He expressed confidence in Walsh’s potential, stating, “We continuously strive to refine our skills at training. It will change, but I thought he performed well tonight. He ran the ball powerfully towards the line, organised the defence, and made crucial saves to prevent tries.”
Reynolds acknowledged that while they tend to focus on Walsh’s minor errors, there are numerous positive aspects to his game that shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, there is a sense of optimism within the Broncos’ camp as they back Walsh to overcome his recent hurdles and develop further.