NRL legends clash in heated dispute on live TV

It got heated between Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen after the NRL was rocked by a controversial incident.

It got hot between Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen. Photo: Channel 9.

It seems the NRL match review agrees with Paul Gallen.

The former NSW State of Origin captain was embroiled in a heated debate with Brad Fittler and Johnathan Thurston on Thursday night after the Panthers’ crushing win over the Broncos.

The result has been overshadowed by an ugly incident that has left Broncos star Reece Walsh with a fractured cheek bone.

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Brisbane confirmed the bad news on Friday with Walsh unable to fly back to Brisbane with teammates because of the injury. The club said in a statement Walsh will consult with a specialist surgeon and his return to the football field is uncertain.

Walsh was wiped out during a head clash with Penrith’s Taylan May early in the game.

The hit left Walsh bleeding profusely below his left eye and he was forced from the field to undergo a head injury assessment.

Referee Gerard Sutton subsequently placed May on report.

However, May was not charged when the NRL match review announced its verdict of the incident on Friday morning.

Gallen was outnumbered in the heated debate on Thursday night with Fittler and Thurston both calling for May to be charged over the incident.

Gallen’s argument that the collision was a simple accident in a contact sport was supported by the NRL match review.

Reece Walsh was left looking worse for wear after a brutal collision with Taylan May. Picture: Supplied

The result will not go down well with Fittler and Thurston who were vocal during the animated discussion with Gallen.

Here’s a brief transcript of how the post-match segment on Channel 9 went down.

Paul Gallen: For me it was totally accidental. I’m surprised he was put on report and was penalised for it. You can tell it’s totally accidental there. Hopefully Reece Walsh is OK. That he hasn’t broken his cheekbone and might only miss a week, but that does not look good.

Brad Fittler: I think if you come in on someone’s blindside you are responsible to tackle below their shoulders.

PG: No Freddy. I don’t care, I know it’s an accident. But you are totally responsible. It’s a head clash.

BF: I know that, but you are responsible. It’s still contact above the shoulders.

It got hot between Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen. Photo: Channel 9.

PG: He can’t control where Reece Walsh steps or what Reece Walsh does.

BF: You can control how high you tackle. You are going in on someone’s blindside.

PG: He didn’t even tackle him.

BF: Of course he tackles him.

PG: He tipped the ball on and he tried to stop, to brace himself for a collision.

BF: He went in to tackle him and you are responsible.

PG: It’s a collision sport Freddy.

BF: I understand that. You’re responsible mate.

PG: So Reece Walsh has no responsibility. He can step wherever he wants.

Johnathan Thurston: I’ve got to agree with Freddy.

PG: It’s an accident guys.

JT: We know it’s an accident.

PG: Then why should he be charged or suspended for it.

BF: Because he hit him in the head.

JT: You have a duty of care. And you can tell he’s actually not gone in for the tackle. He’s jumped up.

PG: He braced. He didn’t jump. He braced.

JT: He braced yes, but you’ve got to lower your target.

PG: It’s an accident.

JT: You have to lower your target.

Fittler said May should not have been suspended but believes the Penrith centre should have been fined.

Walsh was left bloodied after a head collision with Taylan May. Picture: Supplied

Reece Walsh had to be driven back to Brisbane after scans confirmed he did suffer a facial fracture.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said on Thursday it was a total accident.

Walsh had to have stitches and despite hopes he had avoided further damage, scans confirmed a facial fracture which could sideline the superstar fullback for some time.

Broncos Head Of Performance Dave Ballard said Walsh was taken to hospital and underwent a CT scan which showed a facial fracture.

“As a result, he cannot fly home and is being driven back up to Brisbane today by our staff,” he said.

“We will be able to determine how much footy Reece will miss once the injury settles down and after we consult a specialist in coming days.

“Reece’s wellbeing is our priority and ensuring he is well looked after. We will get him safely back to Brisbane and then move forward.”