Reece Walsh leans fate over ugly shoulder charge as form slump continues

The NRL has made a call on Reece Walsh’s ugly shoulder charge in the Broncos’ win as the superstar fullback’s form slump continued.

Reece Walsh has escaped suspension after coming under scrutiny for a try saving shoulder charge as the Broncos fullback’s rollercoaster start to the season continued.

Brisbane defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 26-16 on Friday night with barnstorming prop Payne Haas tearing the Cowboys apart on his way to winning the Carl Webb Medal.

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Walsh was put on report for a shoulder charge on Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi while attempting to save a try in the second half.

With Brisbane leading 12-6, Taulagi waited to pounce on a grubber kick in the corner but just as he was grabbing the ball to attempt a try, Walsh came flying over and his shoulder made heavy contact on Taulagi, knocking him over the sideline.

Taulagi was seen clutching his jaw and the Bunker ruled Taulagi knocked on but gave a penalty to the Cowboys and Walsh was put on report for the shoulder charge — the Bunker noting he “did not make a genuine attempt to wrap his arms” to tackle.

On Saturday, the NRL handed Walsh a $3000 fine, should be accept an early guilty plea.

If the Broncos challenge the charge, Walsh could be sidelined for two games, which Fox League’s Michael Ennis believed was possible after watching the incident.

Watch Reece Walsh’s shoulder charge in the video above

Reece Walsh's hit on Murray Taulagi didn't look good. Photo: Fox Sports.

“That replay concerns me. When the arm goes next to the body. There’s no sign of trying to wrap your arms,” Ennis said.

“It’s not in that wrapping-type motion which is extremely hard to do in a split second.

“He might be in a little bit of trouble.”

Greg Alexander said: “In that sort of situation, you are flying across to try and stop a try, you can’t wrap your arms. It’s almost impossible.”

Reece Walsh's hit on Murray Taulagi didn't look good. Photo: Fox Sports.

Surprisingly, Walsh wasn’t sent to the sin bin. Apart from a cut-out ball to Jesse Arthars for a try, Walsh had another down game a week after he was well below his best against the Raiders.

Walsh did have a 40/20 but he committed five errors as the 22-year-old struggles to hit his straps in 2025.

Broncos five-eighth Ben Hunt told the ABC: “We know the magic Reece can do ... he’s working extremely hard. We encourage him to let it go and focus on his defence. He can get pretty down on himself.”

Broncos coach Michael Maguire backed Walsh to get back to his best soon.

“Reece Will be right,” Maguire said in his post-game press conference.

Reece Walsh had another down game for the Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“I’ve had plenty of players in situations like that (in form slumps). He’s just got to work his way through it. We know what he can bring to the team.

“Every now and then a player goes through it, it’s not uncommon from what I’ve seen in coaching. He's just got to work his way through that. He’ll be fine.

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

“He’ll be better for it when he keeps working his way through it. He’s got a good supporting team around him. That’s the character of the team we want to build, we want to look after each other.”

Maguire also praised Walsh’s defensive efforts against the Cowboys.

“We had a solid defensive line and that comes from what Reece does out the back,” Maguire said.

“There is 50/50 in the game, defence and attack, and I thought Reece was excellent defensively.

It was the second win over the season for the Broncos, who bounced back from an upset loss to the Raiders in Round 2.

Originally published as Reece Walsh leans fate over ugly shoulder charge as form slump continues