The Brisbane Broncos’ 2024 NRL campaign is in tatters after just three weeks. Billed as title favourites by some betting sites heading into the season, the Broncos have suffered multiple defeats and even more injuries already this year.
With their latest defeat a heavy 34-12 walloping at the hands of the Penrith Panthers on Thursday night, Brisbane now find themselves without another star player. We look at the latest news on Reece Walsh’s injury, and how the Grand Final replay unfolded at the start of round three.
- Brisbane suffer heavy 34-12 loss to Penrith in round three
- Fullback Reece Walsh out with facial fracture
- Controversy surrounds head clash that led to Walsh’s injury
- Broncos are now 1-2 for the season, with three star players sidelined
Grand Final Rematch Delivers One-Sided Match
Heading into round three, the anticipation was palpable. Both the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers had had a rocky start to the 2024 season, losing their openers before winning in round two. The two title favourites were set to meet on Thursday night for a rematch of 2023’s Grand Final – a fixture which Brisbane won this time last year.
The result was rather anti-climactic. Penrith dominated the match from start to finish, running in 34 points to well and truly stamping their authority on rivals Brisbane. It could have been even worse than the 34-12 scoreline. The Panthers led 22-2 at halftime, going off the boil for periods of the second half and allowing the Broncos some shred of dignity with the end score.
As he did in their last meeting, Nathan Cleary once again excelled against the Broncos. The pivot set up an impressive four separate tries, including an incredible link up with Izack Tago off the back of a double-pump dummy.
Reece Walsh Suffers Facial Fracture Minutes In
While the one-sided scoreline was no doubt a big headline of Thursday night's match, the real news was what happened to Reece Walsh just minutes into the game. Hot on attack, Brisbane shovelled the ball to Walsh, who was spot tackled by Penrith’s Taylan May. As he attempted to weave out of the tackle, May and Walsh clashed heads.
The contact saw Walsh leave the field, with blood spurting from his face. While the fullback passed his concussion test, the Broncos’ star was unable to see properly and could not return for the remainder of the match. Scans later confirmed that the fullback had suffered a facial fracture.
“We will be able to determine how much footy Reece will miss once the injury settles down and after we consult a specialist in coming days,” said Broncos’ Head of Performance, Dave Ballard. “Reece’s wellbeing is our priority and ensuring he is well looked after. We will get him safely back to Brisbane and then move forward.”
The circumstances surrounding Reece Walsh’s injury have stirred controversy, with commentators immediately divided. On field, a penalty was awarded to the Broncos and May was put on report, but not sin binned. Some believed he should not have been penalised for what was an accident, while others thought that he needed to be sent off, given the magnitude of Walsh’s injury.
Broncos Campaign in Disarray
Following the loss and Walsh’s injury, the Broncos’ campaign is now looking seriously in jeopardy. Ahead of round three, they had already lost star players Payne Haas and Adam Reynolds. Now, with Walsh out for an unknown amount of time – likely four to six weeks – the club are facing an uphill battle early in the season.
In response, bookmaker bet365 have raised their odds for Brisbane from 4.33 pre-season, to 5.00 now. On the bright side, it’s a long season, and the Broncos have plenty of time to bounce back from their two early losses. However, with three integral members of their squad out of action, they’ll need to dig deep to do so.
The Brisbane Broncos have found themselves in dire straits just three weeks into the NRL 2024. With an opening loss to the Sydney Roosters and injuries to Payne Haas and Adam Reynolds, a loss on Thursday night to the Panthers has deepened their hole. News that fullback Reece Walsh has a facial fracture is a devastating blow on top of this.
