Johnathan Thurston detail called out as Broncos teammates respond to Reece Walsh spray

Reece Walsh's spray for Corey Oates has certainly divided opinion across the NRL world. But Broncos teammate Tristan Sailor said it actually brought back memories of some of the game's greatest players, such as Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith. Brisbane's livewire fullback Walsh faced criticism from viewers after blowing up at Oates for dropping a pass during the Broncos' crushing loss to the Titans that all but ended their NRL finals hopes.

However, Walsh has also received plenty of support from fellow teammates and legends of the sport including Cooper Cronk and Gorden Tallis, who argued it's just part of the game and shows the passion that Walsh plays with and the incredibly high standards he sets. “I’ve given a bake and I’ve copped a bake,” Cronk told NRL 360 this week. “Oates has got to catch the ball, that’s just the way we operate."

Walsh and Oates were seen training together on Wednesday and there appears to be no bad blood between the pair, despite suggestions the incident shows a lack of unity at the struggling Broncos this season. And Sailor says as far as the incident is concerned it's water under the bridge for the squad, with the Broncos utility comparing Walsh's spray to those Thurston and Smith - two of the greatest players of all time - often gave their own teammates.

"It is nothing personal and it is something he is learning as he gets older, to remain calm. That is what makes him human," Sailor said about Walsh. "All the best players I have seen... JT (Johnathan Thurston) sprayed people in games and Cam Smith. It is something the best players do because they want people to be on a high level. He is doing everything he can to get there as well."

Tallis said earlier in the week that he'd rather see players holding teammates to account like Walsh was doing, rather than just patting each other on the back. It's not the first time the 22-year-old Walsh has given a more senior player a spray, with the fullback suspended last season for a verbal tirade he said he aimed at Pat Carrigan that was viewed to be directed at the referee. Sailor says it's just the way Walsh is on the field but it is never personal for the fullback.

"There was nothing malicious in it. I think it was just a matter of accountability," Sailor said. "It wasn't Walshy blaming Oatesy or Oatesy blaming Walshy. It was just the frustration of the game. Walshy, it doesn't come across in the media, but he is very fastidious about what he does. He is only (22) so I guess with age everyone mellows out a bit. It is just passion for Walshy. That is what makes him the player he is."

Teammates defend Reece Walsh amid Broncos backlash

Fox League’s Paul Crawley was among those to criticise Walsh for what he described as an "ego problem" but Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds was also quick to defend the superstar No.1. “It’s part of learning and he’s still a young kid,” Reynolds said. “He’s still growing into his role. He’s a competitor and he tries hard and he’s going to get errors in his game but we believe in Reece and those things happen.”

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The Walsh incident led many to question if there is disharmony within the Broncos squad this year after a disappointing follow-up to their run to the grand final in 2023. But Cronk says the problem comes down to the team collective and the cohesion (or lack thereof) within the squad, rather than any one incident or player.

“You can sit there and point the finger (at one player)," Cronk said. "Ultimately I think it’s that cohesion as a group and the work ethic (that’s hurt them) because when they were humming last year they were working hard for one another." The Broncos are currently six points outside the top eight and on the cusp of missing the finals for the third time in four seasons. Brisbane will need to win all their remaining games and hope other results go their way if they're any hope of playing finals footy in 2024.

with AAP