After recovering from a facial fracture a week earlier than anticipated, Reece Walsh, a fullback, is back for Brisbane, but coach Kevin Walters says the team has not taken any chances with his health.
After missing four to six weeks due to injury, Walsh will play against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, three weeks after the incident against Penrith.
Walsh will don a headpiece for the match on Friday, and Walters is adamant that there is no danger. We wish to preserve his acting career in Hollywood.
“Every member of our medical staff has given him the all-clear to return to action.
“He needs to wear the headgear to play; it’s just a precaution.
“It’s hard for any player to sit out and watch, particularly someone like Reece who lives and breathes rugby league.”
While Payne Haas (knee), Adam Reynolds (hamstring), Brendan Piakura (ankle), and Deine Mariner (back) all out due to injury, the Broncos are happy to have back forward Xavier Willison back on the bench after he successfully completed concussion procedures.
“This year I’ve seen a lot of clubs go through this, so we’re not the only ones. A lot of players aren’t out there each weekend,” Walters said of the injury list.
“We are copping it, but we are adapting really well and coping really well.
“We have played some of the better teams in the competition and we have come through it well.”
Second-rower Jordan Riki sprained an ankle at training on Tuesday but limped through the captain’s run on Thursday.
“Jordan will play, unless he pulls up sore (on Friday morning), ” Walters said.
The Broncos are not concerned about being able to keep strike centre Kotoni Staggs beyond 2025.
The 25-year-old will become a free agent on November 1, with the Australia Test centre likely to be highly sought after.
“Kotoni is very important and our intention is to keep him. It’s not in our sights at the moment,” Walters said.
“He is coming off contract at the end of 2025, so (recruitment boss) Simon Scanlan and (CEO) Dave Donaghy can look after that.
“I will keep coaching Kotoni because he is a great fella to coach.
“We are really seeing the maturity of Kotoni with a few troops down. He has played his best football.”
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