Broncos sad injury reigns: double officially completely out of the season” Reece Walsh new hope emerg” Kevin Walters sweating it out…..
Given that Reece Walsh needs surgery for a damaged hand, the Broncos announced on Thursday that he may have played his final NRL game of 2024. The youthful fullback broke his hand during the Broncos’ victory over the Cowboys the previous Saturday. For the most part of the second half, Walsh persevered despite the excruciating injury and helped the Broncos win to save their season. And when Walsh saw a specialist on Thursday, Broncos officials disclosed on Thursday that Walsh will need surgery.
The Broncos didn’t reveal a return to play timeframe, but according to ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney, he might miss the rest of the season. The leading injury expert revealed on Tuesday evening that surgery can often help players get back sooner after stabilising the fracture, but Seeney said the typical sideline stint is 3-4 weeks.
The Broncos have a bye this weekend before rounding out the regular season with games against the Eels, Dolphins and Storm. Kevin Walters’ side are four points outside the top-eight heading into Round 24, and if they’re not a realistic chance of making the finals when Walsh is ready to return, it’s unlikely they’ll risk him.
Seeney stressed that the ‘usual’ recovery time often goes out the window when teams are desperately trying to make the finals. But the dire situation the Broncos find themselves in means it’s entirely possible Walsh’s season is over.
Other players have suffered hand fractures in 2024 and come back after missing just two weeks – namely Titans five-eighth Jayden Campbell. However Bulldogs prop Max King has missed the last five weeks.
Reece Walsh’s season from hell in 2024
If Walsh doesn’t play again this year it would complete what’s been a season from hell. The 22-year-old had a breakout year in 2023 but hasn’t been able to stay on the field in 2024.
He was knocked out after just eight minutes of State of Origin 1 after suffering a face fracture in Round 3 against the Panthers, which kept him out of action for two weeks. Three weeks later, he returned to the field for Origin 2, where he had a miserable experience as NSW won the second and third games to win the series.
Walsh was one of Queensland’s best in the 2023 series, but was unable to rekindle the magic this year. His form has been brilliant when he’s been at his best in 2024, but questions have risen about his defence and his capability to show up all the time at fullback.
The Broncos have crashed from grand finalists in 2023 to strugglers this year, and the frustrations showed when Walsh sprayed teammate Corey Oates during their loss to the Titans two weeks ago. The incident heavily divided opinion, with Broncos legend Steve Renouf describing it as ‘disrespectful’.
Ezra Mam out for season and Payne Haas could follow
The hand injury to Walsh comes as an absolute dagger for Walters and his Broncos side, and their chances of qualifying for the finals appear slim at best. The club also revealed on Tuesday that five-eighth Ezra Mam has undergone surgery on a syndesmosis injury and won’t play again this year.
And it’s highly unlikely we’ll see Payne Haas back on the paddock either after he went down with a foot injury two weeks ago. “Payne will undergo some further testing in coming days before we can assess when he will return, while Tyson (Smoothy – ankle injury) has begun his rehab work in the gym,” Broncos head of performance David Ballard said.
