Reece Walsh's new NRL look set to hand injury-hit Broncos a huge boost

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has been sporting a new look at training after fracturing his cheek bone and the 21-year-old could be set for an earlier return than expected. Walsh was involved in an ugly incident with Taylan May in round three when a clash of heads left him facing four to six weeks on the sidelines.

While Broncos fans will feel confident with Tristan Sailor performing a stellar job against the Cowboys, Walsh was shown wearing protective headgear during training. And Walters has admitted the fullback could be back as soon as round six after training with the team.

The fullback is targeting a round six return, which would be great news for coach Kevin Walters with the Broncos dealing with a number of major injuries. Halfback Adam Reynolds rejoined the group and was instrumental in their victory over the Cowboys last week, but the team are still missing key forwards in Payne Haas and Brendan Piakura.

Despite Walsh training, Walters was not keen on rushing the superstar back into the Broncos fold. "He won't be back this week. We will keep him on track...maybe for next week. But we will see," Walters said to Channel 7 on the weekend.

Tristan Sailor shines as Broncos fullback

Sailor took his opportunity as the Broncos replacement fullback with both hands having performed a stellar job in the round four win over the Cowboys. And Walters was full of praise: "Tristan was in our top two or three players, so well done to him. He needs to back it up again this week."

Playing second fiddle to Walsh in 2024, many have called for coach Kevin Walters to use Sailor off the bench this year due to his X-factor. But in round four, the fullback was stellar having run for 198 metres and made five tackle busts to help ignite the Broncos attack. And Panthers great Scott Sattler has called for Sailor to make sure he impressed other clubs because he will be coming off contract in the near future.

“What I loved about Tristan’s game was he didn’t try and overcomplicate things. He just went out and did his job. He was safe and reliable, very Dylan Edwards-like,” Sattler said on SEN Radio.

“He hasn’t got a place there in the future as a fullback because of Reece (Walsh) being so young but I gotta say, when you get asked to play in those positions at clubs… you sell yourself to other clubs, and Tristan Sailor will find himself at another club one day.”