Darren Lockyer Sounds Alarm on Broncos’ Identity Crisis as Reece Walsh’s Risks Come Under Fire
Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has delivered a stinging reality check for the club he once led to premiership glory, agreeing with Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater that the current Broncos side lacks a clear and consistent playing identity. Despite their current standing in the top eight, recent inconsistency and a shock defeat to struggling Parramatta have reignited questions surrounding Brisbane’s structure and stars—most notably their electric but erratic fullback, Reece Walsh.
On the latest episode of The Billy Slater Podcast, the former Storm and Maroons great cast doubt on whether Brisbane even understands its own game plan, stating plainly that they don’t “understand who they are and what they’re trying to do.” Lockyer, speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, echoed that sentiment without hesitation, acknowledging a major concern that’s plagued the team all year: “If you ask people, ‘How do the Broncos play?’ they’d struggle to answer.”
This admission comes at a crucial point in the season. After an early slump, the Broncos climbed to sixth place thanks to a five-game win streak and a couple of timely byes. However, last Friday’s two-point loss to lowly Parramatta has once again exposed their vulnerabilities, especially with finals fast approaching. The defeat was more than just a blip—it was a revealing moment that peeled back the surface polish of Brisbane’s attack.
Lockyer points to inconsistency in approach as a major reason for the team’s woes. While the Broncos boast attacking stars like Walsh, Ezra Mam, and Ben Hunt at hooker, their approach tends to shift unpredictably from game to game. Instead of building pressure through structure and physicality, they often rely on moments of brilliance that can just as easily turn into costly errors.
The blueprint, Lockyer argues, was laid out in Round 8 during a dominant first-half performance against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium. “Drop your forwards under, keep ploughing down the middle, make them tackle and wait for the opportunities,” he explained. It’s a simple yet punishing strategy that creates space through momentum, giving dynamic backs the freedom to capitalize on tired defenses. The issue is that the Broncos rarely return to this formula with consistency.
One player at the center of this identity dilemma is Reece Walsh. Known for his dazzling speed and playmaking flair, Walsh has developed a reputation for going all-in on the highlight-reel play. But against the Eels, it came back to bite him. In one glaring instance, Walsh allowed a bomb to bounce rather than secure it—an error that directly led to a Parramatta try. It’s the kind of moment that has pundits and fans alike questioning whether the fullback is trying too hard to be the difference-maker at all times.
Lockyer was candid in his assessment of Walsh’s current form. “I think it’s just simplifying your game,” he said, stressing that a fullback’s primary responsibility is to run the ball and be in position. “You’ve got to have a focus on getting the ball on the full as much as you can. Positional play is important.” He pointed to Penrith’s Dylan Edwards and Canterbury’s Connor Tracey as examples of fullbacks who excel at doing the little things right—getting into position early, supporting their forwards, and only looking to pass when the opportunity naturally arises.
According to Lockyer, Walsh would benefit from adopting a “run-first” mentality, especially early in sets. “When you get into good ball, do the same thing early in the set but then come out to the edges later in the tackle count.” The message is clear: patience is power. If Walsh can tone down the urge to deliver the miracle play and instead focus on maintaining pressure and capitalizing when defenses break down, the Broncos’ overall structure will stabilize.
One shining example of Walsh’s potential came during the setup for Billy Walters’ try. By hovering near the ruck and capitalizing on an offload, Walsh was able to deliver a key attacking contribution without forcing the issue. It’s this kind of situational awareness and timing that Lockyer believes needs to be the fullback’s foundation, rather than relying on hero ball instincts.
Looking ahead, Brisbane’s final six games offer a real chance to gain momentum heading into the finals. On paper, their schedule is favorable—they face the inconsistent Rabbitohs, Knights, and Cowboys, as well as the unpredictable Dolphins. However, they also have to face the Melbourne Storm twice in the final stretch, which will serve as critical benchmarks for whether the Broncos have truly found their groove or are still flying by the seat of their pants.
If the Broncos are to be taken seriously as title contenders, Lockyer believes it all starts with finding a true identity and sticking to it. That doesn’t mean dull, robotic football—but it does mean consistency in style and intent. “You need to try build momentum and create space,” he said, not chase it through desperation or trick shots. For a team with as much firepower as Brisbane, a structured platform can be the difference between a first-week finals exit and a deep playoff run.
Ultimately, Lockyer’s message isn’t just about tactics or personnel—it’s a challenge to the club’s culture. The Broncos have long carried a reputation as a glamour club, one with expectations that go beyond merely making the finals. But unless they can build from the ground up and develop a signature way of playing, they risk being remembered not as contenders, but as a collection of talent that never quite meshed when it mattered most.
Reece Walsh’s flair will always be part of the Broncos’ DNA, but Lockyer—and others—want to see that flair rooted in discipline, timing, and team-first principles. There’s still time for Brisbane to correct course before the finals, but only if they’re willing to embrace who they are—and who they’re not.
