The Broncos’ worst fears have come true as Reece Walsh’s facial fracture is confirmed, and Panthers star Taylan May is spared from suspension after a rough head collision.
Brisbane’s injury issue has become worse, with star fullback Reece Walsh expected to miss time due to a facial fracture sustained in his horrific knock against Penrith, according to scans. After a head collision with Walsh that ended the Broncos star’s game in the fourth minute, Panthers centre Taylan May was not charged. For Kevin Walters’ men, however, the news was not so positive. Following the 34-12 loss on Thursday night, Walsh was taken for urgent scans, which later showed a facial fracture. Dave Ballard, the high performance head of the Broncos, stated, “As a result, he cannot fly home and is being driven back up to Brisbane today [on a bus] by our staff.”
“In the coming days, after we speak with a specialist and the injury settles down, we will be able to estimate how much football Reece will miss.” Prior to their matchup with North Queensland on Friday, Brisbane will be missing three of its most important players due to injuries sustained by Walsh. Adam Reynolds, the halfback, won’t play again until round five against Melbourne, while prop Payne Haas will also be out for the next month due to a knee injury. Walters acknowledged on Thursday night that the Broncos were exposed at the edges due to Walsh’s injury and that he had to reconsider his interchange bench.
With Walsh playing fullback and Selwyn Cobbo filling in for him, second-rower Brendan Piakura was forced to defend at left centre and prop Fletcher Baker on an edge. As a result, the visiting team’s defence was easily breached by the premiers, who scored three tries in the first half. Tristan Sailor was parked as our 18th man, but he was unable to enter the game. Thus, we will not repeat that action,’ stated Walters. “We need specialists if we lose some of those outside backs, so we have to have someone like Sailor on the bench.”
As a coach, it is my responsibility to select the best players for our bench to ensure that we cover any situation. There, I accept some of the guilt.
Walters, meanwhile, stated during the game that he thought Walsh and May’s head collision was “just one of those things that happens.” Following Walsh’s transfer of the ball, May surged out of the line and attempted to hit the Broncos fullback, resulting in a head-on collision. This led to May being placed on report. Referee Gerard Sutton informed May that he had a “duty of care” to prevent the head collision and that he ought to have bowed down as he prepared for contact. Ivan Cleary, the coach of Penrith, however, was adamant that the contact was merely unintentional, and the match review committee supported his position.
Although nobody wants to see the top players leave, Cleary described it as an accident. He was standing straight up, which is not how you tackle, so I assumed he was trying to get away from the tackle. Had he bowed, he most likely would have struck him in the head with his shoulder. “These things happen; Reece Walsh moves fairly quickly.” I don’t really care that much.