The Broncos fullback was brilliant with ball in hand against the Titans, but his defence remains an issue.
Reece Walsh had a blinder for the Broncos as they beat the Titans 26-14 on Sunday night. But NRL legend Cooper Cronk was quick to highlight a worrying moment in defence that might come back to haunt Michael Maguire’s side against better opposition.
Walsh had a try and an assist on Sunday night, breaking three tackles and running for 176 metres. He would have sent a scare through the Broncos’ coaching staff when he performed a backflip after his try, a worrying moment considering he still looks hobbled by a knee issue.
But what was more worrying for Cronk was some of Walsh’s positional play in defence. Maguire likes his fullback to defend in the line when the opposition is close to the try-line, and it’s a fairly common tactic in the modern game.
But there was a moment in the second half where Cronk thought the tactic was exposed. Walsh was defending at marker on the blind-side close to the line, and was caught way out of position when the Titans dropped a grubber behind the line to score a simple try.
The Titans spread the ball to the open-side before AJ Brimson grubbered through for Jojo Fifita to score. Walsh wasn’t even in the camera shot, and Cronk was quick to comment. “That was way too easy for the Titans,” he said in commentary for Fox League. “A little grubber in behind the line and that’s exactly where your fullback Reece Walsh should be.”
Reece Walsh’s defensive frailties raise eyebrows
The 23-year-old was brilliant with ball in hand, and was involved in a number of tries. But his defence has always been a main point of contention, and it proved a talking point on Sunday night.
While the majority of the NRL world was raving over his attacking showcase, there were some expressing concerns over his work on the other side of the ball. One Broncos fan wrote on social media: “Reece Walsh is brilliant in attack when things are going well. If we’re on top of a side, he smokes them. However, for every bit as good as he is in attack, defensively, he’s no good. Titans only score because once again, he’s out of position in defence.”
Another commented: “Reece Walsh can NEVER be a rep player! Only interested in half the game! Yes can run like the wind and put on tries, but is defensively and positionally horrendous at the back.” While a third added: “For every Reece Walsh brilliance there’s a moment he gets caught in the line.”
Many were quick to point out that Walsh is simply following the game-plan of coach Maguire. But the comments from Cronk would be particularly concerning for Broncos fans.
Adam Reynolds brushes off Reece Walsh spray for teammate
Walsh has three tries and five assists in his four games since his return in round 14 from a seven-week absence with a knee injury. He missed the 22-18 comeback win over Canterbury in round 18 while he was in Queensland camp for the State of Origin decider, but the Broncos are undefeated in their last five games.
Reece is a big part of our team. We have threats across the park,” Broncos captain Adam Reynolds said on Sunday night. “Walshy is right at the top. He is an X-factor in our team and it’s my job to put him in positions to do that.”
Reynolds said he wasn’t concerned when Walsh was spotted giving teammate Kotoni Staggs a spray for dropping the ball. The skipper said it was a positive sign of his attitude.
“We are trying to be perfect out there,” he said. “It won’t always go to plan. But we are adults, we talk about it and sure enough they fixed it up and scored a long range try. It’s good to have that feedback on the field.”
