Trio of Broncos heavyweights issue message of encouragement to Reece Walsh after telling post-game footage

Reece Walsh cut a forlorn figure in the Suncorp Stadium dressing shed as Brisbane belted out their victory song - but three of the club’s most senior figures have hit back at the superstar’s critics.

The Broncos have urged Reece Walsh to ignore the “nitpickers’’ and keep backing his cavalier game despite his turbulent start to the season.

Walsh’s early season form has been the embodiment of the term rocks and diamonds with a litany of unforced errors mixed with creative moments which have played their part in the Broncos two wins from three games.

A cracking backfield showdown looms on Friday in the Battle Of Brisbane when Walsh takes on the Dolphins’ custodian Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who is also yet to set the competition alight this season.

“People will probably beat up on Reece for a few things, but he had some impressive moments (against the Cowboys), a 40-20, he set up a try and I thought his defence was excellent,’’ said teammate Ben Hunt who said, to Walsh’s credit, he would not be forced into his shell.

“That’s one of the best things about Reece. If he makes an error, he doesn’t take it with him. He is back out there trying to play again and playing his footy so we will just encourage him to do that.’’

Feels good 😌 pic.twitter.com/cYrfXLw1JI

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) March 21, 2025

Skipper Adam Reynolds added: “It will turn, I thought he was good, I thought he ran the ball strong into the line. He organised the D (defence). He scrambled across in the corner to save tries. We sort of sit there and nitpick at the little mistakes that he makes but there’s a lot of great things that he’s doing as well so he’ll keep working hard and no doubt he’ll come out of this.’’

Coach Michael Maguire senses the occasional stumbles are part of Walsh’s development.

“I’ve had players that are like Reece and they go through little periods in their careers and that actually helps define who you are and that makes you a better player.

“Someone else is going to go through that at some stage within the team and that’s the character of the team that we want to build is that we look after each other.

Reece Walsh cut a forlorn figure in the Brisbane sheds.

“He’ll be right. We had a solid defensive line there and that comes from what Reece does out the back.

“There’s 50-50 with the game both defence and attack and I thought Reece was excellent defensively and the other side of the game will come.

“You can see him rallying the boys around and you don’t defend the way we did if you don’t have a full back rallying his troops around so I was pleased with that.’’

Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater said on Channel 9: “When you create so many opportunities and you’re one of those players that make good things happen there’s an expectation that it always has to happen off you.

“And that can sometimes creep into your mindset as well. He will grow and be more consistent over time.’’

Originally published as Trio of Broncos heavyweights issue message of encouragement to Reece Walsh after telling post-game footage