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Walsh reveals how Broncos escaped mid-season slump
Charles Goodsir • September 10th, 2025 12:39 pm
The Brisbane Broncos are one win away from a home preliminary and it’s in large part to enigmatic fullback Reece Walsh.
The Broncos were heavily favoured to return to the top four in 2025 following the appointment of coach Michael Maguire and things started perfectly with an emphatic opening round victory against the Sydney Roosters.
However, the Broncos slumped to 11th on the ladder after Round 13 with a 5-7 record with many pundits concerned that for all their talent, an attitude problem still existed at the club.
The Broncos won 10 of their final 12 games to finish fourth and overcame significant hamstring injuries to playmakers Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam.
Questions were raised as to whether the Broncos could win the Premiership without their halves but Walsh’s recent form to end the home and away season has shot Brisbane back into calculations.
“We obviously went through a form slump during the middle part of the year,” Walsh told SEN.
“We felt like we were chasing to be great. We’ve always known that we have good footy in us but it’s about working hard for it and then getting what we deserve.
“It all starts with having effort in defence. We’ve touched on it since day one of pre-season and we haven’t stopped talking about it.
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“We’re starting to get that balance right.
“The game in Melbourne where we lost (Reynolds and Mam), I felt like we stayed in the game and stayed in the fight. We could’ve thrown in the towel and let them get a cricket score.
“That’s where it clicked for us (and) we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
The Broncos face the Raiders in a Qualifying Final in Canberra. The lone meeting in 2025 between these two sides was in Round 2 where the Raiders clinched an impressive 32-22 win.
Walsh will go head-to-head with another exciting fullback of the competition in Kaeo Weekes who has had a breakout campaign this season.
“I’m still thinking about that game in Round 2 where they pantsed us,” Walsh added.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for those boys.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge (against Weekes) and I’m so excited.”
The Broncos and Raiders meet at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
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