Reece Walsh in crushing new blow for Broncos as Brisbane's NRL finals hopes take big hit
There had been hopes the fullback would be back in Round 26.
Kevin Walters has revealed Reece Walsh won't play against the Dolphins on Saturday in a game that has the potential to end the Broncos' NRL season. Walters' side kept their finals hopes alive in Round 25 with a pivotal win over Parramatta, and are now sitting just two points outside the top-eight.
With the Dragons' loss to Cronulla on Sunday, the Broncos, Dolphins, Knights and Raiders are all still alive and just one win outside the eight with two games to play. Crucially, the Broncos have a better for-and-against than all of the teams around them - including the eighth-placed Dragons.
If St George Illawarra stumble again and the Broncos can beat the Dolphins, Walters' side would be in the eight heading into the last game of the season. But they'll have to do it without Walsh this weekend after Walters revealed he won't be ready to return from his hand injury.
The superstar fullback hasn't played in two weeks after fracturing his hand against the Cowboys, and has undergone surgery to stabilise the injury. There had been hopes Walsh would only need to miss two weeks - just like Jayden Campbell did with a similar injury earlier this season.
Reece Walsh's return could be too late to save Broncos
But speaking in his post-match press conference on Friday night, Walters said neither of Walsh or Payne Haas would be fit to face the Dolphins. Considering the do-or-die nature of the game, it comes as a slight surprise the Broncos won't rush Walsh back - even if he's not fully fit.
Walters said he's hopeful Walsh and Haas will be fit for the final-round game against Melbourne, but by that stage it might be too late. Earlier last week, the coach stated that Walsh and Haas will "100 per cent" be back at some stage before the season is over, but it looks like it won't be this weekend.
The Dragons will play the Eels in Parramatta, and a win for Shane Flanagan's side can be the death knell for any of the chasing pack who lose this weekend. If the Dragons win, the loser of the Broncos and Dolphins clash will be eliminated, but the winner will still be alive. The Knights host the Titans at home and are favourites to keep their season alive, while the Raiders face the daunting task of taking on the Roosters in Sydney.
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Kevin Walters has no doubt Broncos will make NRL finals
Despite being without Walsh and Haas, Walters declared there's no doubt his side will be playing finals footy. When asked if the Broncos could go on a winning run if they make the finals, he replied: "There is no 'if'. We will make the finals but we have got to play well next week against Redcliffe."
The coach said his confidence is based on a belief that captain Adam Reynolds' best is yet to come. "He is our captain and our leader," Walters said. "Obviously, he is a little bit disappointed with his performance but the thing is that we got over the line. We just had to win, whichever way that happened. He knows he can be better. We know he can be better. The whole team can be better."
Reynolds said he "didn't get it right" for the whole match against Parramatta, which will be his goal in the last two games of the regular season. Meanwhile, Tristan Sailor had what Walters said was his "best game all year" in place of Walsh at fullback, scoring an electrifying 60m try. Sailor also provided a slick cutout pass to set up a try for winger Selwyn Cobbo and had a safe match under the high ball.
NRL state of play with two rounds remaining:
Storm - 42 points (+213 for-and-against)
Roosters - 36 points (+269)
Sharks - 36 points (+204)
Panthers - 36 points (+158)
Bulldogs - 34 points (+146)
Cowboys - 32 points (+43)
Sea Eagles - 31 points (+121)
Dragons - 28 points (-120)
Broncos - 26 points (+2)
Dolphins - 26 points (-27)
Knights - 26 points (-70)
Raiders - 26 points (-131)
Key matches in Round 26:
Eels v Dragons
Dolphins v Broncos
Knights v Titans
Roosters v Raiders
with AAP
