NRL 2023: Battle for backline spots heating up at the Brisbane Broncos

Traditionally it is the players who are used to be sweating it out in the pre-season, but Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is also under the pump.

England's Herbie Farnworth scores a late try.

Broncos recruit Reece Walsh has enlisted a breathing coach to spark his career as he faces a fight with England star Herbie Farnworth for Brisbane’s famous No. 1 jersey.

Farnworth showed he is primed for a big pre-season when he returns to Red Hill with a two-try performance in England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Samoa on Sunday.

Farnworth was having a breakout NRL season for the Broncos this year at centre before a serious biceps injury ended his campaign after 12 games, which yielded 10 tries.

The 22-year-old flyer did not feature for the Broncos again as Brisbane bombed out of the finals race with a late-season capitulation as Farnworth neared return.

He overcame the injury in time for the World Cup, where he starred for England at centre despite the host nation’s shock loss to Samoa.

Farnworth has told coach Kevin Walters that he wants to have a crack at fullback when he reports for pre-season training at Red Hill.

That is the position Walsh has been recruited to play – but the former Warriors sensation said he is relishing the challenge from Farnworth.

Broncos recruit Reece Walsh has enlisted a breathing coach to get an extra advantage in the battle for the No.1 jersey. Picture: Brisbane Broncos.

“I haven’t been guaranteed anything,” Walsh said.

“We haven’t really spoken much about positions. Obviously, I signed as a fullback.

“We’re good mates. It’s really good for competition that a couple of boys want the jersey.

“It’ll be healthy and something I’m looking forward to. I’ve got to keep pushing myself. Nothing is guaranteed. It’s going to be good competition throughout the year.

“It will be interesting to see how much sleep ‘Kevvie’ gets over the next couple of weeks. He might be a bit stressed with all the boys fighting for positions.”

Walsh sweated it out at Red Hill on Tuesday morning as the likes of Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell returned from off-season holidays.

Seeking a shift to fullback, Farnworth only signed a one-season extension with the Broncos for 2023, making him a free agent from the end of next year.

If he fails in his fullback bid, Farnworth could look to depart the Broncos.

He was chased heavily by Redcliffe expansion club the Dolphins for their NRL launch next year before committing to Brisbane short-term and has been linked to Sydney clubs.

That sets up a tantalising pre-season battle which Walsh has a head start in after reporting for training last week.

Herbie Farnworth has his eyes on the fullback role after impressing for England at the Rugby League World Cup. Picture: AFP.

Due to his England commitments, Farnworth is not due back until the New Year unless he volunteers to return early.

Walsh, 20, is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to secure the fullback duties and start 2023 with a bang.

He spent the off-season training with Gold Coast performance coach Brett Mallet, who specialises in breathing techniques and has worked with Parramatta star Mitchell Moses.

“I went with something a bit new, I was working with a fella on the Gold Coast named Brett on my breathing mechanics and stuff like that,” Walsh said.

“It was something different but I really enjoyed it and hopefully I can keep seeing him through the year. Doing something by myself away from the club is really good.

“He dials in on your breathing mechanics and getting your body firing. He’s got me doing some pretty crazy things like sleeping with tape over my mouth. I’m enjoying it.

“He had me doing running sessions but it’s all about my breathing mechanics and dialling into breathing properly.

“As footy players, you get under fatigue. If you can learn to breathe properly, which I’m still going through at the moment, it makes the game slow down. You won’t be thinking with emotion. That’s why I’m doing it.”

Walsh insists he has not been promised a start at fullback and is working hard in the off season to prove himself. Picture: Brisbane Broncos.

After playing 38 games over the past two seasons for the Warriors, Walsh was quick to circle Brisbane’s New Zealand game when the 2023 NRL draw was released last week.

They will clash in round 13 at Napier and Walsh said he wasn’t sure what reception he would get from Warriors fans after walking out on the club to re-join the Broncos.

“They are awesome, loyal fans, and I loved running out and hearing the crowd cheer,” he said.

“I hope if I go back it’s a good cheer.

“At the end of the day, I’m playing for the Broncos now and they’re supporting the Warriors. I’m not going to get offended or anything like that (if they boo me). I’ll understand.

“I still love that club. They’re really good people there and teammates too.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing all the boys and having a good hitout against them.”

Walsh impressed at fullback during his time at the Warriors, and is the favourite to start at the back for the Broncos in 2023. Picture: Getty Images.

FILTHY FARNWORTH: STAR BRONCO IS READY TO ROAM

—Paul Crawley

Herbie Farnworth’s outstanding World Cup performances have created a massive recruitment headache for the Brisbane Broncos moving forward.

While Samoa’s Stephen Crichton stole the spotlight with his matchwinning field goal on the weekend, Farnworth certainly didn’t do his market value any harm with some dazzling displays for England including a two-try effort in the semi final.

It’s catapulted the 22-year-old to the forefront of all off-contract stars who can now negotiate with rivals for beyond next season.

Like Penrith’s Crichton, Farnworth has previously indicated a desire to test himself at fullback, while he is also in demand as a world class centre.

Even though the Broncos came out recently and said the battle for the fullback spot is still a three-way fight between Reece Walsh, Tesi Niu and Farnworth for next season, it’s no secret Farnworth was filthy when the Broncos signed Walsh during the year.

Herbie Farnworth celebrates one of his two tries against Samoa. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The burning question on the back of Farnworth’s World Cup performances is how does Brisbane now afford to keep the talented Englishman given his value is only going to soar?

It’s no exaggeration Farnworth will easily attract upwards of $800,000-a-season on the open market, and it certainly doesn’t help that Brisbane already has an overflow of outside backs locked up on huge money.

Walsh along with Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs are all signed until the end of 2025, while exciting teenager Deine Mariner is committed until the end of 2024.

While the Broncos would be mad to let Farnworth go, the trouble will be finding the salary cap space to keep him.

It is also hard to see how the Broncos can accommodate both Staggs and Farnworth given Cobbo looks certain to end up at left centre.

Farnworth was previously in the sights of both Parramatta and Canberra who wanted him as a centre, while there was a rumour doing the rounds more recently that the Roosters could be interested depending on what eventuates with Luke Keary.

The talk is if Keary was to suffer another head knock he would retire.

That could open the door for Joey Manu’s move to five-eighth, potentially creating a spot and salary cap space to go after a player like Farnworth.

Farnworth continues to shine on the big stage. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But if Farnworth wants to play fullback it will probably end up being a shootout between Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins and Gus Gould’s Bulldogs.

While Crichton’s name has also been linked to both clubs, Farnworth’s World Cup highlighted to everyone why he is so highly rated.

Alex McKinnon went as far earlier this year to rate Farnworth potentially “as damaging a player as Joey Manu”.

On the back of Farnworth’s World Cup efforts, I asked McKinnon for his thoughts now.

“I think he’s made me look pretty good,” McKinnon quipped.

“He is a superstar. I think he could be a top-line fullback.”

Asked if he thinks Farnworth wants to playing fullback, McKinnon added: “I know he wants to play fullback.”