Reece Walsh detail called out as Corey Parker makes sad admission about Selwyn Cobbo

After missing Magic Round through injury Reece Walsh is working around the clock to be fit for Brisbane's NRL clash with Gold Coast on Sunday. The star fullback was ruled out of the Broncos' 13-12 win over Manly on Friday night with a knee injury and has left no stone unturned as he looks to return fit and firing this weekend.

AAP reports Walsh joined several players in a rehab running session on Monday, seen running freely after picking up knocks to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in consecutive weeks. The first was in the round-eight 34-10 win over Wests Tigers in Sydney. While the 21-year-old recovered from that, he then suffered a second blow a fortnight later in the 30-14 away win over Parramatta.

Walsh was given until captain's run last week to be fit to play the Sea Eagles but pulled out with knee soreness. However, he will return to team training on Tuesday and is expected to be fine for this weekend.

Walsh's fitness is of key interest to Queensland, with the team for the State of Origin series opener in Sydney on June 5 to be named next Monday, where he is widely expected to be selected at fullback. But while his absence was a blow for the Broncos last week, Selwyn Cobbo was a standout in his place.

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After switching from centre to fullback, Cobbo registered 228 running metres and 11 tackle breaks in his man-of-the-match performance, showing why he is one of the most dynamic backs in the NRL. "It's a totally different role to centre obviously, but Selwyn did some really good stuff at the back," coach Kevin Walters said after the game.

"He doesn't care what the score is. Selwyn just plays. Some of his carries and high balls he caught were at critical times when he pulled them off."

Corey Parker fears Selwyn Cobbo will be poached

Broncos legend Corey Parker believes Cobbo's incredible fullback display could prove costly for Brisbane in the long run. His standout Magic Round performance has put rival clubs on notice and showed that he is a serious fullback option.

Cobbo can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 and Parker fears the Broncos won't be able to keep him as they can't afford to match offers from rival clubs or hand him the No.1 jersey.

"A lesser club unlike a Broncos might dangle seven figures at him and say we want you to be our number one," Parker told SENQ Mornings. "(Playing fullback has) highlighted him again in the shop… I don’t see how they could keep those players (Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs who is also off contract) for the money that someone like a Cobbo would be offered on the open market because he can play fullback.

"He’s Brisbane’s version of Joey Manu. You give him an opportunity and his numbers are great, he’s high involvement, etc. He goes back to the centres, and it’s how do we get Cobbo… the ball again?

"I just love the way that Selwyn approaches the game. He’s got this swagger about him. He’s got a carefree approach and demeanour but he’s hard to handle."

with AAP