‘CALM HIM DOWN’: MADGE OPENS UP ON BIG WALSH ISSUE AS ‘CUTE’ ERROR CRUELS BRONCOS IN STUNNING LOSS TO EELS
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael “Madge” Maguire has leapt to the defence of fullback Reece Walsh after the superstar No.1 produced a chaotic, error-laden performance in the Broncos’ shock 22-20 loss to the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium in Round 21.
In a match that saw Brisbane fall into bad habits and struggle with patience, Walsh’s performance was a microcosm of the team’s night: brilliant in patches, disastrous in others.
The 21-year-old fullback came close to stealing the game in the dying moments with a late try—only for it to be heartbreakingly denied when he was ruled offside. It capped off a frustrating outing for both Walsh and his side, who failed to sustain pressure and lacked the composure that has made them contenders this year.
🧊 ‘COOL HEADS’: MADGE CALLS FOR MATURITY
Speaking post-match, Maguire acknowledged Walsh’s impact but noted that the talented fullback must learn to better control his tempo and focus across the full 80 minutes.
> “It’s about making choices,” Maguire said. “Reece has been spectacular for us at times, and he had a bit of a tough night in some of the periods in his game.”
The coach made it clear that Walsh was far from alone in needing to adopt a more disciplined, long-game approach.
> “That is for all of us,” Maguire continued. “He is going through exactly the same thing we just spoke about—playing the longer game.”
Rather than placing the blame solely on Walsh’s shoulders, Maguire emphasized that the entire squad must be more thorough and deliberate with their decision-making.
> “Over the last period, we’ve captured the things that we want to be,” he said. “But we need to do it for longer periods of time.”
⚖️ ROCKS AND DIAMONDS: WALSH WALKS THE TIGHTROPE
Walsh’s performance drew widespread commentary during and after the match, with many noting his high-risk, high-reward style that has both thrilled and frustrated fans this season.
Against the Eels, he produced several line breaks, a dazzling assist, and looked likely to break the game open at any moment—but also committed costly errors, including a knock-on that led to a Parramatta try and poor positioning on several defensive plays.
His near-try in the final minutes sparked hope for a miraculous comeback, only for the bunker to rule he had advanced from an offside position.
🗣️ REYNOLDS: ‘WALSHY IS AN EXCITEMENT MACHINE’
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds addressed suggestions that Brisbane’s high-profile spine—made up of himself, Reece Walsh, Ben Hunt, and Ezra Mam—might still be adjusting to each other’s roles and rhythm. Some critics have observed the quartet getting in each other’s way during high-pressure moments.
Reynolds, however, dismissed the claim, stating that natural movement and fluctuating involvement were part of how modern spines function.
> “No, I think the spine generally moves like that anyway,” Reynolds explained. “There are different parts of the game where [Walsh] will get more involved—it just depends on how the game is going.”
He also came to Walsh’s defence, describing him as a key figure in Brisbane’s success.
> “We all love what Walshy brings. He is an excitement machine, and he is a big part of our team and a big reason why we are where we are,” Reynolds said.
Still, he acknowledged that part of his responsibility as captain is helping the young gun stay balanced and avoid overplaying his hand.
> “You don’t want to take that away from him, but it is my responsibility to calm him down at times when he gets a bit sideways.”
🎭 ‘CUTE’ FOOTY BACKFIRES FOR BRONCOS
Coach Maguire didn’t mince words when analyzing the broader issue with Brisbane’s performance against the Eels. In his eyes, the team abandoned the basics and tried to get too “cute” in their second-half execution.
> “It was disappointing,” he said. “They [Parramatta] played the long game, and we didn’t. We just tried to caress our way through that second half.”
Maguire was particularly critical of the side’s failure to build sustained pressure, instead forcing plays and gifting the Eels momentum.
> “We didn’t build pressure—and they did,” he said. “That’s what it came down to.”
Despite leading early and showing flashes of dominance, the Broncos could not maintain intensity or structure across the full match. Parramatta pounced, with Clint Gutherson and Dylan Brown capitalizing on Brisbane’s sloppiness to engineer the upset.
🚑 PAYNE HAAS INJURY SCARE, BUT ‘HE’S OKAY’
Brisbane fans had more cause for concern when Payne Haas was seen limping up the tunnel before kick-off and later leaving the field with a noticeable ankle injury.
However, Maguire allayed fears post-match, revealing the star prop was not in serious danger of missing future games.
> “Payne is okay,” the coach confirmed. “He just has a temperamental body at the moment, which he is sorting through.”
> “That’s just Payne putting his body on the line, but he’s alright—I just spoke to him, so he is okay.”
Despite his limited minutes, Haas made an impact in defence and yardage, but his absence in the closing stages was notable as the Broncos struggled to win the middle.
🧠 WHAT NOW FOR THE BRONCOS?
The Broncos are still in the thick of finals contention, but the loss to Parramatta will sting—not just because of the scoreline, but because of the avoidable nature of the defeat.
With a few rounds remaining, the message from Madge is clear: Get back to basics. Trust the process. Play the long game.
And for Reece Walsh, one of the most electrifying young players in the league, it’s another chapter in a growing story—a reminder that brilliance must be paired with discipline if Brisbane are to go deep in September.
The spine remains potent. The talent is unquestionable. But as Maguire said, “We need to do it for longer periods of time.”
Time will tell if the Broncos can find the balance between razzle-dazzle and ruthlessness when it matters most.
