Broncos coach Kevin Walters insists Reece Walsh doesn’t have any points with the best way he behaves round officers after the star fullback was suspended for 3 matches for swearing at referee Chris Butler in final week’s loss to the Titans.
Judiciary counsel Patrick Knowles confirmed a number of incidents main as much as the foul-mouthed tirade the place Walsh approached Butler to argue choices, with the referee even warning Broncos captain Adam Reynolds about it at halftime.
Walsh will miss Saturday’s derby in opposition to the Dolphins, however Walters is assured it gained’t be a difficulty going ahead.
“It’s not a huge problem for Reece. He’s very passionate about his game,” he mentioned.
“We’ve dealt with it and we’ll deal with it in-house as well. We’ll get some support around Reece.
“He’s good and that’s all done and dusted now. I feel it’s been handled the right way and Reece has owned up to his misdemeanours and we’re getting on with life.”
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, in the meantime, mentioned Walsh deserved the three-match ban and even questioned whether or not he would be taught from the incident.
“Absolutely. The referee has got to be protected and the game does them a great disservice when we don’t,” Bennett replied when requested if the ban was truthful.
“To the game’s credit they have always stood up for referees whether I’ve been a coach or player. So they should.
“Sometimes people learn and sometimes they never learn.
“That’s to be seen what he learns out of it.”
With Walsh out, Walters confirmed Tristan Sailor will get one other crack at fullback after impressing in his membership debut in opposition to the Warriors when the Broncos have been with out their Origin stars.
“I’m really excited for Tristan as well. Tristan Sailor gets his second game at the Broncos, and he’ll get a few games with Reece’s suspension,” Walters mentioned.
“He showed great skill (against the Warriors). He’s a footballer, just like Reece. He lives and breathes to play footy so it’s great for him to get an opportunity here in Brisbane in front of his home crowd.”
The Broncos head into the derby degree with the Panthers and Storm on 24 competitors factors and in a powerful place to complete the yr inside the highest 4.
But ghosts of 2022 are lingering within the background following their shock defeat to the Titans, with the membership determined to keep away from a repeat of final yr’s capitulation the place they misplaced 5 of their closing six matches to overlook out on the highest eight.
“I don’t want to give that too much air,” Walters mentioned.
“This is a different era, a different team. Where we’ve got ourselves in the competition is very exciting and we need to go out and play well tomorrow night.”
Patrick Carrigan missed most of these video games late final yr as a result of suspension, and the consultant lock is now getting ready to shift to an edge because the Broncos cope with a back-row disaster after the lack of starters Kurt Capewell and Jordan Riki.
“You need to make good decisions on the edge and we feel Patty is the best guy to do that at the start of the game,” Walters mentioned.
Carrigan is prone to transfer into the center throughout the recreation, however he’ll need to get used to taking part in on an edge, with Walters anticipating Riki to overlook 6-8 weeks, whereas prop Tom Flegler might be out for as much as six weeks.
“It’s a bit of an extended period for both, but we are fortunate over the next couple of weeks we have some byes and some rest periods, so they won’t miss as many games as we thought,” the coach mentioned.
“The young guys get a good opportunity to present their case while they are in the team.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au