‘The referee doesn’t know’: Broncos legend goes into bat for Walsh

Broncos great Gorden Tallis has questioned a key detail in the Reece Walsh referee abuse incident as he challenged the star’s three-game ban.

Reece Walsh blows up at the referee. Picture: NRL Photos

Broncos great Gorden Tallis has questioned why NRL referee Chris Buttler didn’t act more firmly with Reece Walsh in the wake of the fullback’s three-game ban.

Walsh challenged his contrary conduct at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night but was found guilty of swearing at Buttler during the Broncos loss to the Titans.

The 20-year-old wasn’t sin binned during the game and maintained his comments were directed at teammate Pat Carrigan.

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“I reckon the referee doesn’t know that he called him that or not,” Tallis said on NRL 360.

Tallis also took exception to the NRL being allowed to show footage during the hearing of Walsh getting frustrated with Buttler earlier in the match.

“So any player who goes to the judiciary now, they can look at all of his charges (indiscretions throughout a match)?” Tallis said.

“Because they’re going back on what he was saying to the referee (during the game) and frustration is frustration but if he didn’t say it…

“I think that’s unfair showing (footage) of him being frustrated going up to the referee (earlier in the match).

“The referee should have sent him to the bin when he was frustrated.”

Reece Walsh blows up at the referee. Picture: NRL Photos

But James Hooper wasn’t having it.

“I get where you’re coming from Gorden but I think the beef was that it wasn’t an isolated incident and it wasn’t even an isolated in this game,” Hooper said.

“The beef is that Reece Walsh over the last six to 10 weeks of the season, has been getting in these repeatedly heated scenarios with referees and he’s not the captain… that’s not Reece’s place, he’s 20 years old playing fullback, he doesn’t need to be in a running battle with every whistle blower every game.”

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta then read Walsh’s comments to the media after the hearing.

“Obviously I’m pretty disappointed in the outcome but I accept the decision of the panel,” Walsh said after the hearing.

“I know I’m a role model to young kids and the community and I’m going to continue to work hard and continue to get better at the areas I need to get better at.”

Originally published as ‘The referee doesn’t know’: Broncos legend goes into bat for Walsh