Will Reece Walsh return in 2024? Brisbane Broncos Share Latest Update on Injured Fullback.
Reece Walsh may have played his last game of the 2024 NRL season, as the Broncos announced on Thursday that he needs surgery for a fractured hand. The young fullback sustained the injury during the Broncos’ victory over the Cowboys last weekend.
Walsh played through the pain for most of the second half, contributing to the Broncos’ win that kept their season hopes alive. However, after consulting a specialist on Thursday, the team confirmed that he will need surgery.
The Broncos did not provide a timeline for his return, but injury expert ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney suggested that he could miss the remainder of the season. Seeney noted that while surgery can sometimes expedite recovery by stabilizing the fracture, the typical recovery period is about three to four weeks.
The Broncos have a bye this weekend before finishing the regular season with matches against the Eels, Dolphins, and Storm. Currently, they are four points outside the top eight as they head into Round 24, and if they are not in a position to make the finals by the time Walsh is ready to return, it’s unlikely they will take any risks with him.
Seeney emphasized that standard recovery timelines often change when teams are fighting for a finals spot. Given the Broncos’ dire situation, Walsh’s season could be over.
Some players, like Titans five-eighth Jayden Campbell, have returned from hand fractures after just two weeks, while Bulldogs prop Max King has missed the last five weeks.
If Walsh does not return this year, it would cap off a challenging season. The 22-year-old had a breakout year in 2023 but has struggled to stay on the field in 2024. He suffered a facial fracture in Round 3 against the Panthers, which kept him out for two weeks, and was knocked out just eight minutes into State of Origin 1. He returned for Origin 2 but did not perform well as NSW won the series.
Despite being one of Queensland’s standout players in the 2023 series, he has struggled to find his form this year. While his performance has been strong when he plays, concerns about his defense and consistency at fullback have emerged.
The Broncos have fallen from grand finalists in 2023 to struggling this season, with frustrations boiling over when Walsh confronted teammate Corey Oates during a loss to the Titans two weeks ago. This incident drew mixed reactions, with Broncos legend Steve Renouf calling it ‘disrespectful.’
Walsh’s injury is a significant blow to coach Kevin Walters and the Broncos, diminishing their chances of making the finals. Additionally, the club announced that five-eighth Ezra Mam has undergone surgery for a syndesmosis injury and will not play again this year. It’s also doubtful that Payne Haas will return soon after suffering a foot injury two weeks ago. “Payne will undergo further testing in the coming days before we can assess his return, while Tyson Smoothy (ankle injury) has started his rehab in the gym,” said Broncos head of performance David Ballard.
