NRL grand final early mail: Reece Walsh and Herbie Farnworth cleared to play

Brisbane fans rest easy, Broncos coach Kevin Walters insists his star duo Reece Walsh and Herbie Farnworth will play on Sunday despite requiring treatment at training.

(L-R) Kevin Walters and Herbie Farnworth.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has uttered the words every Broncos fan wants to hear, declaring star duo Reece Walsh and Herbie Farnworth will be certain starters in Sunday night’s grand final against Penrith.

Farnworth and Walsh threw a scare through the Broncos camp when the backline strike weapons suffered setbacks at Brisbane’s first grand-final training run on Tuesday at Suncorp Stadium.

Walsh received treatment from Broncos medicos for a glute complaint, while Farnworth appeared more serious, failing to finish the session after having his left quad and hamstring strapped.

The Broncos cannot afford to have two of their best attacking weapons at less than full fitness and it would be a disaster if Walsh or Farnworth broke down in the opening minutes of the grand final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is confident of fielding a full strength team on Sunday. Piccture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

But Walters dismissed concerns over his dynamic duo, insisting the flying fullback and centre have been given the green light by medicos as the Broncos look to smash a 17-year premiership drought.

“Herbie and Reece are fine, they will play,” Walters said.

“We’re three days post-game from the prelim final (against the Warriors) and generally all the guys are a bit sore, particularly at this time of year.

“We want them to be there on Sunday night, so we will rest them up today (Wednesday) and get them ready for Thursday.”

The Broncos flew to Sydney on Wednesday ahead of the Dally M Awards and will ramp-up preparations with their second training session in Wests Tigers territory at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday.

Farnworth and Walsh will be on light duties for that session, although star prop Payne Haas and champion halfback Adam Reynolds are expected to take part.

Haas wore a red “no contact” bib on Tuesday, while Reynolds copped a knock to his knee and limped briefly, but told this masthead he is “all good” for his championship showdown with Panthers maestro Nathan Cleary.

Herbie Farnworth sports heavy strapping at a training session. Picture: Liam Kidston

Reece Walsh suffered a glute twinge at training. Picture: Liam Kidston

Farnworth and Walsh have not worn strapping during the finals series, which is why their sudden struggles at training on Tuesday triggered alarm of a fresh injury concern.

“There is always that thought in the back of your mind (they might not play),” Walters said.

“But ‘Herb’ is smart about his body, so we did the right thing and took every precaution.

“Herb will obviously get some treatment on it, he won’t do a whole lot on Thursday, but he and Reece will be right for Sunday, that’s the main thing.

“We will have another training session on Thursday and it won’t be a big one, then we will set sail for Sunday night without a drama.”

Walters concedes both the Broncos and Panthers will have some battered troops after a gruelling 27-round season that has tested the roster depth of all 17 clubs.

“Everyone at this stage of the year is a bit banged up,” he said.

“It’s been a long season, but I’m sure Penrith are in the same boat.

“You can’t do too much more this week, what we have in the tank is there and locked away.

“The great thing about our side, and it’s the same with a lot of other teams, we’re a fit side.

“We don’t have to do a whole lot this week, we will game plan for the Panthers and finetune the best we can, but it’s all about Sunday night and getting it all on together when it matters.”

80,000 FANS TO PACK ACCOR STADIUM AS GRAND FINAL SELLS OUT

The NRL grand final is officially sold out.

The last tickets were sold on Tuesday morning – making it one of the quickest and earliest sell outs in recent history.

There were fears the game might not reach full ground capacity until later this week given there is only one Sydney team competing.

But Broncos and Panthers have surged for tickets and a crowd of around 80,000 will cram Accor Stadium on Sunday night.

Most Brisbane fans will start their pilgrimage to Sydney later this week.

Penrith held a fan day on Tuesday at BlueBet Stadium with around 5,000 to 6000 supporters attending to cheer their heroes.

Broncos fans have been in an excited frenzy all week too.

While many cannot split the two sides, TAB bookies have Penrith firm $1.62 favourites with Brisbane $2.30 outsiders.

Referee Adam Gee will control the big game, his first grand final.

Originally published as NRL grand final early mail: Reece Walsh and Herbie Farnworth cleared to play