Broncos’ Reece Walsh pays emotional tribute after family death

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh had another brilliant outing in Townsville on Saturday but was left in tears after scoring a decisive try.

The emotion overcame Walsh. Photo: Fox Sports

The Brisbane Broncos appear to be the real deal, claiming a statement 30-14 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

After the Penrith Panthers threw down the gauntlet on Friday night with a trouncing of the Melbourne Storm, the Broncos responded immediately, downing the Cowboys on the road without its leader in Adam Reynolds.

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Reynolds was ruled out of the match with groin tightness on Friday but the Broncos were still able to score five tries to three to pull off a famous victory.

While the 30-14 scoreline indicates the Broncos pulled off a fairly easy win, it was anything but in a high-quality game of football hearkening back to the glory days of Broncos-Cowboys clashes.

And getting the wood over the Cowboys in the longest running Queensland derby in the NRL appeared to mean a lot to fullback Reece Walsh, who scored what appeared to be a decisive try in the 72nd minute.

After a break down the right edge from the Broncos, a pass from Kotoni Staggs which would have put halfback Jock Madden in under the posts was knocked down by Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater, only for the ball to land in Walsh’s hands.

The fullback, who finished with 185 run metres from 13 runs as well as two line break assists, ran the final 20m to score when the emotion overwhelmed him.

That one means a lot. Photo: Fox Sports

The emotion overcame Walsh. Photo: Fox Sports

A jubilant Walsh looked, pointed and blew a kiss to the sky before his teammates swamped him.

But after putting his hand to his heart, Walsh took a knee and covered his face as the emotion poured out.

It was revealed by sideline reporter Brent Tate that Walsh’s uncle had passed away during the week.

“We're seeing some emotion for Reece Walsh here as he looked up to the sky,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said.

“It’s a big moment for him, it’s a big moment for the Broncos and Reece, who we have seen his emotion in the past, is letting it out at the moment.”

Reece Walsh showing how much this game means to him. #nrl#nrlbroncoscowboys

— Dave (@maccasworld) August 5, 2023

Ezra Mam consoles Reece Walsh. Photo: Fox Sports

Broncos coach Kevin Walters praised his fullback in his press conference.

“He’s had a tough week Reece with family and alike so it was a really strong performance from him after a tough week and it was great to see him get that try,” Walters said.

“You could see the emotion when he got it.

“He made some really big plays for us, I thought is work out the back with Jock and Ezra (Mam) was really good and defensively came up with a lot of big plays as well.”

Walters said he believed the first 40 minutes of the match was the toughest half of football the Broncos had played this season.

The result sees the Broncos move back to parity with the Panthers on 36 points with other sides having all but sealed a top four finish as they move two wins clear of the third-placed Warriors on the ladder.