Brisbane’s Billy Walters suffers brutal blow as fresh scans confirm he needs full ACL reconstruction
Michael Maguire has revealed the special role Billy Walters will play in Brisbane’s premiership quest despite being sidelined for at least nine months.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has spoken of his heartbreak for Billy Walters as the luckless utility prepares to undergo a season-ending knee reconstruction that has crulled his premiership hopes.
Maguire said Broncos players were united in their desire to win a premiership for Walters, who will require surgery to repair the partial ACL tear that has ruled him out of Sunday week’s preliminary final.
The 31-year-old injured his knee in last Sunday’s epic 29-28 finals defeat of the Raiders in Canberra.
Walters was hoping the injury was not season ending, but after visiting a specialist on Wednesday, the popular playmaker’s worst fears were realised - facing the second knee reconstruction of his career.
Walters tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at the Wests Tigers in 2020 and the grand final hooker has sustained fresh damage to the same ACL.
He faces up to nine months on the sidelines, meaning Walters will miss a significant portion of the 2026 season and may not return until May or June next season.
It is a devastating blow for Walters, who has been one of Brisbane’s best players this season and was in outstanding touch after moving to five-eighth five weeks ago following injuries to Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds.
Maguire said the Broncos were rallying around Walters and determined to lift the NRL trophy in honour of the son of club legend Kevin Walters.
“I’m so disappointed for Bill,” Maguire said.
“He has been excellent for us this year.
“One thing I do know is he is hellbent on making the group succeed.
“His selfless manner is driving everyone at the club to get success and we would love to do it for him.
“The game can be cruel at times, but Billy has been a big part of what we are doing.
“The job is in front of everyone and he has been very good for us all year, whether he has been at hooker or changing his role to five-eighth.
“He is a joy to coach to be honest.”
Maguire said Walters is resigned to an operation that will wipe out his entire 2026 pre-season.
“Billy is talking with the surgeons at the moment and working out the best path,” he said.
“But it looks like that (a full reconstruction) is the path he will take.
“We’ll talk to the surgeons but he will be out for some time.”
The injury could have repercussions for Walters’ future at the club. He is off-contract next season and will get only a handful of games to press his claims for a contract extension in 2027.
Walters turns 32 this February but is confident he can fight back from his latest injury, saying in the lead-up to the Canberra clash he could soldier on into his mid-30s.
“I’m getting better every week and I will push for another contract,” said Walters, who played his 97th game for the Broncos in Canberra.
“This year has challenged me and brought out my best footy.
“I can’t rely on the last name and just expect to be put in the team.
“I’ve had to work hard for everything I’ve got and ‘Madge’ (coach Michael Maguire) coming in was something a bit different.
“I had to work for it (his Broncos jumper) again and Madge has seen me in a different way with my role in the team, which isn’t a bad thing.
“Kev (Walters, Maguire’s predecessor) started it by bringing me back here to the Broncos and giving me an opportunity and believing in me.
“I just love playing at this club. If that means coming off the bench, or playing six or playing fullback, I will put my hand up and do it because I love pulling the jersey on and being involved with the Broncos.
“It’s all about playing good footy and taking it year by year.
“I am signed for next year so it’s a bit of security I suppose, then I will come back next pre-season and rip in and prove my body isn’t slowing down.”
Walters’ recent halves partner Ben Hunt lauded his contribution to steering the Broncos to a grand-final qualifier.
“Billy has been excellent all season,” Hunt said.
“He doesn’t overplay his hand but when he sees an opportunity he takes it and makes the right decision.
“He has really sparked Reece Walsh as well, he’s so valuable to the balance of our team.”
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Originally published as Brisbane’s Billy Walters suffers brutal blow as fresh scans confirm he needs full ACL reconstruction
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