AdminBroncos head coach Michael Maguire has stood by Reece Walsh following his error-laden outing in the team’s unexpected 22-20 defeat to the Eels during Round 21.
FOX LEAGUE, accessible on Kayo Sports, remains the exclusive platform to catch every match of each round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE without interruptions for ads during play. New to Kayo? Your first month is just $1. This is a limited-time offer.
Walsh presented a mixed performance and nearly turned the game around at the last moment, but his potential try was ruled out for being off-side. Maguire acknowledged that Walsh must embrace a longer-term approach, although he emphasized this necessity applies to all players given the team’s disappointing display.
“I believe this applies to everyone; he is experiencing the same challenge we’ve been discussing regarding playing the long game,” Maguire remarked. “It’s about making smart decisions, so we will evaluate and address that. Reece has shown brilliance for us at times, yet he faced challenges during parts of his game last night, and it’s important for us to be meticulous in our roles, with the captain guiding that effectively. ”
“During the past stretch, we have grasped the qualities we aspire to embody, but we need to sustain this for longer durations. ”
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds refuted claims that the team’s star-studded spine, which includes Walsh, Ben Hunt, Ezra Mam, and himself, is still figuring out their coordination, as there are suggestions they occasionally interfere with each other.
“No, I think the spine naturally operates in that manner; there are various game phases where he becomes more engaged, and it depends on the game’s flow,” Reynolds stated. “We all appreciate what Walshy contributes. He brings excitement and is integral to our squad, significantly influencing our current standing. ”
“You don’t want to dampen that aspect of his game, but it’s my duty to help settle him down when he veers off course. ” Maguire expressed his disappointment in the team’s unwillingness to develop their performance, admitting they often tried to force the issue.
“It was disheartening; they played the long game, while we did not,” Maguire noted.
“We simply attempted to delicately navigate our way through the second half rather than applying pressure, which they certainly did.”
Admin
