Posted: 2024-07-05 13:30:01

“If anyone would want to come done to training one day and have a look at how we’re training, it’s of a high standard, so that eventually from my experience … it will turn,” Walters said.

“I’ve been at clubs as a player and assistant coach where we’ve lost five games in a row, I think the record at the Broncos is eight or nine - so we don’t want to break that - but it’s just sticking together and working hard at training.

“Once we get all the crew back together, we’ll set sail for a smooth finish towards the end of the season.”

Madden’s injury raises alarm bells

As if a long-term injury to skipper Adam Reynolds was not bad enough, Brisbane’s reserve halfback Jock Madden has succumbed to a hamstring issue which could all but end the club’s premiership ambitions.

Madden left the field early in the second half after pulling up from a kick chase to force a goal line dropout, leaving his side’s No.7 options in tatters as Walters confirmed he would be sidelined for “a good month or longer”.

Jock Madden left the field early in the second half of the Brisbane Broncos defeat to the Penrith Panthers.

Jock Madden left the field early in the second half of the Brisbane Broncos defeat to the Penrith Panthers.Credit: NRL Photos

He is the third man in the position to succumb to injury, after 18-year-old prodigy Coby Black suffered a broken thumb in South Logan’s 27-26 Queensland Cup triumph over Brisbane Tigers last week.

With Black and Madden set to be sidelined - and Reynolds not to return from a ruptured biceps until round 22 - Walters will have few options to keep Brisbane’s season alive.

Josh Rogers, who took on the halfback duties in the club’s 30-14 round 10 win over Parramatta, looms as the likely successor, having performed soundly for the Burleigh Bears.

Walters confirmed he would come in, indicating he would have to go outside his top 30 squad to fill the team given the club’s injury crisis and Origin commitments.

“He was outstanding [against Parramatta], so it’s good for him, unfortunate for Jock, but very good for him to get another crack at this level,” Walters said.

Walsh’s return shows signs of promise

Brisbane’s attack has no doubt struggled in Reynolds’ absence, but Walsh’s return has shown there is some light.

The 21-year-old was forced to take on extra responsibility following Madden’s exit, taking on kicking duties while often attacking and defending in the line.

But a try which earned the Broncos a halftime lead showed just how important he is to Walters’ attack.

Reece Walsh scored on his return for the Brisbane Broncos against the Penrith Panthers.

Reece Walsh scored on his return for the Brisbane Broncos against the Penrith Panthers.Credit: NRL Photos

Latching onto a Mam pass, Walsh sliced through the defence and stood up the Penrith right edge - burning them for speed to score, before converting his own try.

The Queensland Maroons No.1 had not played for his club since the round 12 loss to the Gold Coast, as State of Origin and concussion protocols kept him on the sidelines.

But upon his return, he went on to finish with a try, 179 running metres, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts and a forced dropout, leaving Walters hopeful his side’s attack could click in time for a shock finals charge.

Has Cobbo done enough to garner a Maroons recall?

Has Selwyn Cobbo done enough to warrant a State of Origin recall?

Yes, and not based on his attack prowess, but his defensive capabilities, as Queensland seek to extinguish the threat of New South Wales centre Latrell Mitchell.

Mitchell tormented the Maroons’ right edge in the Blues’ game two win in Melbourne, with the place of Valentine Holmes thrust into uncertainty among coach Billy Slater’s side.

A hamstring injury to winger Xavier Coates has already opened the door for Cobbo’s comeback, after he was kept out of the team due to mental fatigue and the need to play with pain killing injections - according to Slater.

The 22-year-old showed attacking instincts against Penrith - running for 142-metres and three tackle busts, but it was his work off the ball that drew the eye.

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Defending against Panthers centre Izack Tago and Blues’ hitman Liam Martin, Cobbo came up with 14 clutch tackles while missing just one.

Holmes was poor in the New South Wales’ 38-18 victory at the MCG, missing six tackles as the Mitchell-led edge tormented the Maroons.

But while Newcastle centre Dane Gagai will have the chance to push his own case, it appears a fait accompli Cobbo will at the very least replace Coates in the side, and potentially force a move of Holmes to the wing so he can wage his own Mitchell battle.

“He’s more than capable of doing the job,” Broncos lock Pat Carrigan said.

“I love running out with Selwyn, I do it every week, so that would be pretty special.”

“Selwyn’s a world-class player, but that’s not up to me to decide, Billy will get that decision right for Queensland,” Walters added.

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