Reece Walsh takes swipe at rival coach as Michael Maguire’s move justified at Brisbane Broncos
The fullback showed the Brisbane Broncos are taking tickets ahead of the NRL season.
Reece Walsh has appeared to take a cheeky swipe at rival coach Shane Flanagan in his post-match interview as Michael Maguire’s decision to bring Ben Hunt to the Broncos already looks like a masterstroke. Walsh looks primed to have his best season in the NRL having showed his electric speed and decision-making in the Broncos’ 30-14 victory over a strong Bulldogs line-up.
Maguire opted to play a similarly strong side in the pre-season challenge and after an initial arm-wrestle, the Broncos took complete control with Hunt and Adam Reynolds controlling the game with their kicking. The Broncos forward pack muscled-up and it allowed the likes of Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo to dominate out wide with Brisbane’s backline showing their X-factor.
Walsh was taken off as a precaution before the second-half, seen with ice on his leg, but showed why he is ready for a statement season having set-up Jesse Arthars for a try. Fans are already suggesting Walsh could find himself in his first Dally M race in 2025, such was his early conditioning and performance against the Bulldogs.
And speaking after the game, Walsh showed the Broncos are taking notes as he appeared to respond to Dragons coach Flanagan’s recent comments about his teammate. Hunt returned home to the Brisbane Broncos after an ugly exit from his contract at the Dragons.
Hunt immediately became a leader in Broncos camp and showed he will be a fantastic recruit in 2025 with his kicking game pinning the Bulldogs down in the first half. Hunt’s performance followed former coach Flanagan suggesting to Fox Sports Hunt had a few ‘bad habits’ in his game.
And Walsh showed the Broncos are taking tickets on their rivals as he brought up Flanagan’s dig at Hunt in his interview after the win. “He’s (Hunt) a world-class player. He’s still got some bad habits in his game but we’re working on that. Seeing him happy, back in the Broncs jersey, I was watching him when I was a kid. It’s a pinch-me moment,” Walsh said with a smile.
Ben Hunt shines in Brisbane Broncos return
Hunt was brilliant in his reurn having finished with a try assist and a line break assist. Hunt and Reynolds’ early combination would please Maguire with the duo linking together with precision in warm conditions. There was plenty of speculation over which NRL team Hunt would join ahead of the 2025 season, but Maguire pulled the trigger to bring the 34-year-old back to Brisbane.
Hunt’s contract reportedly dropped from $1 million a season to $550,000 to make the move happen. And the versatile halfback will be hoping his return to the Broncos will see him challenge for a title in the next two years. And looking at how conditioned Maguire has the Broncos, it’s hard to see the club missing the top eight.
Hunt wasn’t the only player looking slick. Maguire’s decision to move Cobbo back to the wing could prove a brilliant call. Cobbo scored a try and ran for 108 metres, second most in the team. Gehamat Shibasaki and Jack Gosiewski also justified their selection in the trials as they push for a starting position ahead of round one.
Jesse Arthars shuts down injury concerns at Broncos
Winger Jesse Arthars attempted to quell concerns around the injuries on the bench with the likes of Walsh, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs all on the sideline. Staggs left the field very early and it was confirmed he wouldn’t return after only a few moments. But reports suggest all players taken off were only facing minor injuries and it was precaution ahead of round one.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Arthars said of his teammates. They’re very important. They’re obviously our leaders, so we look to them when it gets tough. Payno likes to lead from the front and we’re going to need him in the season.
“We wanted to start hitting the ground running. We’ve had a really good block in the pre-season.”
