Reece Walsh called out over controversial NRL moment as Broncos blasted for horror show
The fullback left fans fuming as the Broncos season was derailed.
Reece Walsh scored a stunning solo try on Saturday in the Broncos' heavy defeat, but fans called out the fullback for a 'ridiculous' act in the first-half. Walsh continues to silence his doubters after State of Origin having scored a brilliant solo try to open the scoring against the Titans.
Walsh received the ball from Adam Reynolds and burst through the Titans line. As he approached his rival fullback, Walsh put in a grubber and was able to chase down his own kick to dive over the line. NRL fans were left in awe after Walsh scored another solo try five minutes later as he put up a bomb and managed to catch it to dive over the line.
Although Walsh's brilliance soon turned into frustration for fans. The fullback has been in pain for some weeks after Origin as he clearly battles through a battered body and potentially an injury to his ribs. And the fullback copped the wrath of fans when he went down after a late tackle from Brian Kelly and appeared in serious pain.
Walsh passed the ball back on the inside as the Broncos attacked the line. And after he released the ball, Kelly walked out of the line and put a hit on the No.1. There was not much force in the tackle as Walsh faced the opposite direction and didn't see it coming.
Brian Kelly put on report for this brutal shot on Reece Walsh 😂😂😂#NRLTitansBroncos pic.twitter.com/uFQHBx153l
— Rugby League Best Tries Hits and Biffs (@NBiffs) August 3, 2024
While there wasn't a lot of force, it was late and Walsh stayed down clutching at his ribs. This isn't the first time fans have seen Walsh grab his ribs in recent weeks. The Broncos and Maroons fullback could be carrying an injury after Origin.
Regardless, fans were left fuming with Kelly put on report after the tackle. Walsh managed to get back up and play on right after the Broncos scored. And fans were left upset at Walsh's reaction with many claiming he was overreacting.
Absolutely pathetic.
— Parko (@Parko23) August 3, 2024
Kelly hardly even touched Walsh there & he was acting like he’d been hit in the ribs with a sledgehammer
— The Fall Guy (@gcampbell_88) August 3, 2024
I hope Reece Walsh is carrying an injury into this game because the vision of him flopping to the ground then rolling around grabbing his ribs like he’d just been hit by a truck when he’d barely been touched (even though it was very late) was pretty ridiculous. #NRL
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 3, 2024
If he got broken ribs from that *touch*... he needs to retire from the NRL
— Morty 👽 (@user26194735) August 3, 2024
Kelly got put on report for that 😂 Walsh was barely touched and he certaintly wasn’t touched hard enough for that reaction #NRLTitansBroncos
— gemma rogers (@gemma92rogers) August 3, 2024
What a massive dive from Reece Walsh. How TF is Brian Kelly on report for that???#NRLTitansBroncos
— BLUEY TICK (@phillio1802) August 3, 2024
Whats worse it was the bunker that decided to put it on report @NRL 🤡 https://t.co/BqTPHn5XFF
— À□ (@WahManChi) August 3, 2024
Walsh may have be carrying an injury into the backend of the NRL season, but it hasn't stopped fans calling out the fullback for struggling in recent weeks. Despite the incident, Walsh was involved in all of the Broncos' best moments. But the Broncos struggled with both Ezra Mam and Payne Haas walking of injured.
Broncos season in tatters after horror show
The Broncos started the game on a mission having taken a 18-10 lead into half-time. However, the Titans came out firing in the second-half to score 36 unanswered points. The 46-18 win handed the Titans their biggest win over the Broncos in the club's history.
Brisbane have gone from leading a grand final by 16 points with 20 minutes to play, to sitting 14th on the ladder and out of finals contention. All in the space of 10 months.
A truly remarkable capitulation. #NRLTitansBroncos— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) August 3, 2024
This is embarrassing from the Broncos!!! Absolutely pathetic. Well done Titans 🔥 #NRLTitansBroncos
— Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) August 3, 2024
Broncos defence embarrassing... don't deserve to make finals.
Well done Titans!— The Mole (@9_Moley) August 3, 2024
Kevvie Walters was left stunned as he watched his team's season all but come to an end with five games to left in the NRL season. The Broncos will remain on 20 points after round 22 and there is very little chance they can make finals footy. The Titans move above the Broncos on the ladder and there is belief within the club they can go on a historic run to play finals footy. This is despite the team starting the 2024 season 0-6.
Payne Haas looking at season ending injury
After only 11 minutes in the game Haas went down injured. Haas entered the game with concerns over his foot. And the Blues prop only managed a few minutes before limping off the field.
Haas emerged with a moon boot on at half-time with early reports suggesting the enforcer could miss the remainder of the season with a foot injuy. Things only got worse for the Broncos when Ezra Mam didn't return after half-time due to a foot injury.
Mam emerged from a tackle clutching at his ankle. The five-eighth was then carried from the field and would not return.
Broncos fear a Lisfranc (midfoot) injury for Payne Haas - to be sent for scans to confirm.
For them to rule him out & suspect a Lisfranc injury so quickly - not great signs. Many of the possibilities here point to his being season over with 5 rounds left before finals.— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 3, 2024