NRL Round 7 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 34-10 over Canberra Raiders

All the talk before the game was how the Raiders would unleash an aerial bombardment on the Broncos. Instead it was the Raiders who had nightmares under the high ball, as Brisbane ran riot in the first half.

Reece Walsh does the viral ‘What’s up brother’ celebration after scoring for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Rampaging Reece Walsh sent an ominous message to Queensland coach Billy Slater with a sizzling two-try haul to spearhead Brisbane’s 34-10 rout of the hapless Raiders on Saturday night.

Slater declared the Maroons No.1 jumper is up for grabs for Origin I and Walsh fired the first shot in the fullback battle with Kalyn Ponga as ‘Reece Lightning’ struck with ferocity at Suncorp Stadium.

Walsh overcame driving rain before 37,286 fans to carve up Canberra, who had no answer for his lethal acceleration as the Broncos superstar fired Brisbane to a 4-3 record after seven rounds.

Reece Walsh does the viral ‘What’s up brother’ celebration after scoring for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

The whiz-kid opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a 45-metre solo burst, igniting a five-try blitz in 19 minutes that ended with Walsh’s second to leave the Green Machine floundering in first gear at 28-0 by halftime.

With injured quartet Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds, Brendan Piakura and Deine Mariner set to return for next Saturday’s away trip against Wests Tigers, last year’s grand finalists are building nicely.

“It was a great first half, that was our best first half of the year,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

POWER OF ONE

On this evidence, the 21-year-old Walsh only has to stay fit to be locked in as Queensland’s fullback for the series opener in Sydney on June 5.

Earlier this week, Slater said Walsh and Ponga had another six games to press their claims for Queensland selection, but the Broncos ace turned up the heat on his Knights rival with a mesmeric display.

If tonight’s performance is anything to go by, Reece Walsh is set to retain the Maroons’ No.1 jersey. Picture: Getty Images

Canberra were the better side in the first 10 minutes until Walsh’s attacking wizardry blew the game open in tandem with five-eighth Ezra Mam, who had three try assists.

The Maroons dynamo’s scorching speed helps him find holes that close on others and he finished with 140 metres, nine tackle busts and three line breaks to bury Canberra and flex his Origin muscle.

“Reece has that explosiveness to break a game open,” Walters said. “When he decided to run, he ran.”

MIGHTY MADDEN

This was an important game for Jock Madden. The jury has been out on the back-up Broncos halfback. Can he truly be the long-term successor to Adam Reynolds?

Madden provided all the right answers against the Raiders, comprehensively outpointing in-form rival Jamal Fogarty, who suffered a suspected bicep injury.

Jock Madden proved he has what it takes to be a starting halfback in the NRL, shining in the absence of Adam Reynolds. Picture: Getty Images

The 25-game playmaker unlocked Canberra not only with short kicks but two towering bombs, including a 20th-minute monster which fullback Chevy Stewart spilt for Mam to pounce for an 18-0 lead.

BAKER’S DELIGHT

It’s taken him time to settle, but Fletcher Baker produced his best game in Broncos colours since his off-season move from the Roosters.

Recruited to fill the Tom Flegler void, Baker had a brilliant first shift, running with vigour and soaring high for a Mam cross kick to put Jordan Riki over in the 18th minute for a 12-0 lead.

The 194cm bookend was ably supported by ironman skipper Pat Carrigan (151m), Corey Jensen (162m) and young gun Xavier Willison (124m), who was powerful off the bench.

The Raiders suffered a potentially massive injury blow, with Jamal Fogarty unable to return to the field in the second half with a bicep injury. Picture: Getty Images

HITMAN HETHERINGTON

Broncos bench forward Kobe Hetherington crystallised Canberra’s painful night by unleashing the hit of the season on Stewart.

The luckless Raiders rookie must have felt like he had been hit by Mike Tyson when Hetherington crunched Stewart in the 36th minute as the Broncos turned the screws in midfield.

While Walsh was magical, Hetherington’s shot showed Brisbane have the fusion of skill, speed and forward muscle to again be a serious contender for the 2024 premiership.

Originally published as NRL Round 7 2024: Brisbane Broncos win 34-10 over Canberra Raiders