Broncos HQ LIVE: It hurts! Reece Walsh has finally been vindicated” from his horror” Broncos hold fame as the truth was opened” after Reece Walsh worst press huddles…
The Brisbane Broncos have informed Yahoo Sport Australia that there is no truth to the allegations made by cricket veteran Ian Healy that Reece Walsh was not permitted to miss the team’s game against the Dolphins last weekend. After breaking his hand a month ago, Walsh has been sidelined.
Last Saturday night, the Broncos hosted the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, and Walsh was not present at all. When he’s hurt, the 22-year-old normally attends Broncos games, but on Saturday night he wasn’t there. With a 40-6 beating, the Broncos’ season was officially over, and they are no longer eligible to play in the playoffs.
Healy shockingly stated on Wednesday morning on Queensland’s SEN radio that the Broncos coaching staff was unaware of Walsh’s whereabouts and was unaware that he wouldn’t be attending. The legendary Australian cricket player and Broncos supporter added, “I heard some bad news yesterday.”
Reece Walsh didn’t go to the game and it was quite unknown to the coaches where he was. So I’m not sure he was given permission not to attend. That would be a breach if that was me (in charge). He’s normally a fully engaged character who does go to the games, but not last weekend.”
Broncos deny Ian Healy’s claims about Reece Walsh
The Broncos have since confirmed that Walsh wasn’t at the game, but told Yahoo Sport Australia he was given permission not to attend by coach Kevin Walters. Describing the claims from Healy as “very inaccurate”, a club spokesperson said: “Kevvie and Reece both agreed it was best for him to stay home and continue his recovery and be with his family. We were all aware of his whereabouts.”
There had been hopes that Walsh would be able to make his return against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night, and he was named in the initial 20-man squad by the Broncos on Tuesday. But with Brisbane’s season officially extinguished, the club have decided there’s no point risking him against the Storm.
The teenage fullback’s turbulent season comes to an end with it. Following a breakthrough year in 2023, he struggled with several injuries in 2024 and was unable to regain the exceptional form he displayed a year earlier. Before suffering a severe concussion in State of Origin 1, he had a face fracture early in the season. A knee injury also kept him from playing until he broke his hand against the Cowboys.
Payne Haas set to miss Kangaroos Tests after having surgery
Walters also revealed on Wednesday that Payne Haas has been booked in for surgery on his foot, which will likely rule him out of the Pacific Championship Test matches at the end of the season. The front-rower missed four games with the Lisfranc injury, but made his return recently to try and help the Broncos keep their season alive.
The injury was clearly hampering him against the Dolphins, and he’ll miss the final game of the regular season to get surgery. “Payne will have surgery on his foot on Tuesday and Reece is just not ready to play, so there is no point in risking him,” Walters told reporters.
“(Haas) will be probably be eliminated from the internationals at the end of the year and that is not good for Payne but I really commend him for his efforts to get back on the field. He showed what a true Bronco is, putting his body on the line for the club. That just shows the kind of player Payne is and the type of person he is.”
Haas was taken from the field against the Dolphins but was desperate to get back on. “It shows great faith in what we are doing here,” Walters. “We tried to give him a rest and he wasn’t too happy. He is a winner and we are very happy to have him as part of our club.”
