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Broncos considering huge Reece Walsh switch as big name axed for North Queensland clash

Brisbane have nothing left to lose as they chase an unlikely spot in the NRL finals.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

The Brisbane Broncos appear likely to pull a massive switch around Reece Walsh for their must-win clash with North Queensland on Saturday, with the young star training at five-eighth on Tuesday. The Broncos have lost regular No.6 Ezra Mam to a foot injury, and he appears unlikely to play again this year.

Kevin Walters named Josh Rogers at No.6 on Tuesday, but it looks like Walsh could find himself there on gameday. Walsh spent some time at five-eighth at Broncos training on Tuesday, and Tristan Sailor has been named on the bench. Sailor's best position is fullback, and it opens the door for Walters to move Walsh to No.6 on Saturday.

Reece Walsh, pictured here in action for the Broncos.
Reece Walsh has been training at five-eighth for the Brisbane Broncos. Image: Getty/AAP

It would be a massive gamble, but Walters and the Broncos have nothing to lose. Brisbane are seemingly no chance of making the NRL finals, and would need to win all of their remaining games to have any chance.

Walters has also swung the axe for the clash against the Cowboys, with veteran winger Corey Oates not named. Oates is carrying a few niggles, but at this time of year he'd be playing if Walters wanted him to.

Corey Oates and Reece Walsh.
Corey Oates (centre) has been left out, while Reece Walsh (R) could find himself at No.6 for the Broncos. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Josiah Karapani comes onto the wing in place of Oates, who copped a spray from Walsh after dropping a pass in their embarrassing loss to the Titans last weekend. But lock Pat Carrigan said there's no disharmony within the group, despite the Broncos languishing on 20 points - six outside the top-eight.

"We are (united)," Carrigan insisted on Tuesday. "I think for us, our feedback happens in a public forum and as a group, we're really close-knit and I think the relationships that we have provide an opportunity for us to be able to give feedback on the run and help each other out.

"I think that just comes to how competitive we are as a group, but in terms of any fractures; there's nothing like that. It's just some frustrations that come with footy sometimes. But in terms of being mates, in our connectivity; it couldn't be any better."

Meanwhile, Mam and Payne Haas will consult a specialist to determine whether they will have surgery on their potential season-ending injuries. Haas (Lisfranc) and Mam (ankle) were both injured in the 46-18 loss to Gold Coast, and the Broncos are holding out hope they'll play again this year.

According to AAP, Haas' injury isn't thought to be as bad as the one suffered by Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga, which kept him out for three months earlier this season. Mam may have to undergo surgery and is long odds to play any role in the remaining five rounds of the season.

The Broncos have a bye in Round 25 as well as games against North Queensland (away), Parramatta (home), the Dolphins (home) and Melbourne (home). They'll need to win all four and rely on other results going their way to have any hope of making the top eight.

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Elsewhere on Tuesday, Cronulla didn't name Braydon Trindall but are hopeful the five-eighth will only miss one match. Scans confirmed he suffered a low-grade hamstring tear last weekend, and isn't available against the Gold Coast.

Trindall failed to get through the Sharks' win over South Sydney last Saturday night, but Cronulla officials believe he may only miss Friday's trip to the Gold Coast. The injury leaves the Sharks without both of their first-choice halves, with Nicho Hynes also sidelined until the eve of the finals with an ankle injury.

with AAP