Reece Walsh detail called out amid fresh push for State of Origin change over Broncos 'disaster'

The NRL has once again been urged to consider a standalone Origin series with the Broncos suffering as a result of Reece Walsh missing from action during the representative campaign. Walsh will join the likes of Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas and Selwyn Cobbo on Wednesday to play in State of Origin Game 3.

The Broncos missed an estimated $3 million worth of superstars due to Origin in their loss to the Dragons on the weekend. Walsh alone is worth $1.1 million a year, but has missed a number of games for the Broncos due to Origin.

Coach Kevin Walters' decision to rest his Origin stars after Game 2 also prompted backlash with the Broncos now facing an extremely difficult task to climb the ladder and make the top eight. The Broncos will now need to win six of their last seven games and Walters hasn't even guaranteed the four Origin players will backup this weekend. But the Broncos are not the only team that has been hampered during the schedule.

Ahead of Game 2, the Rabbitohs and Manly played out a dire 14-0 game with the Sea Eagles struggling to field a competitive side due to injuries and Origin. This prompted calls for the Origin series to be moved in order to allow the spectacle of the NRL to maintain its standards.

The debate around the Origin schedule has once again prompted calls for the NRL to make the Blues and Maroons play on a weekend. Or the Origin series is held on a Monday to allow players extra time to back up for the weekend. And The Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield said the Broncos have been hit harder than other clubs throughout the Origin series, which could prompt a rethink at the end of the season.

“I know for a fact they are looking at scheduling and some options will go to the commission at the end of the year,” Rothfield said on Fox Sports' NRL 360. “I think there will be a change in some capacity. It will either be stand-alone Origin. I think we will look at Monday Origin. Three weeks ago, about 20 players couldn’t back up. You play it Monday they have a week to recover.”

While the Broncos have struggled without their rep stars, the Panthers have not. Five Penrith representatives will play for the Blues this Wednesday. And the Panthers are still second on the NRL ladder. Nathan Cleary has also been missing due to a hamstring injury. And NRL reporter Brent Read questioned Rothfield's suggestion the Broncos have been one of the team's with the biggest disadvantage in 2024.

“It’s been a disaster Braith to be honest, you could blame Origin with the players that are out but you look at a team like Melbourne or Penrith,” Read said in reply to Rothfield. “They’ve managed to keep winning without those guys so I don’t think that’s a fair excuse. I’m befuddled by it, I can’t put my finger on it. It’s more than Origin that’s affected them.”

Corey Parker slams Broncos over 2024 season

While Rothfield suggested the Broncos have done it tough without their Origin stars, former player Corey Parker slapped down Origin as the main factor behind their downfall. Speaking on SEN Radio before the Dragons loss, Parker said the Broncos are lacking in many areas of their game this season and their defence has been well-below their high standards.

“At different stages, in moments in games, the Brisbane Broncos have been terrific but throughout the duration of an 80-minute period, have not been where they need to be," Parker said last week. “Sure, they’ve had injuries, they’ve had suspensions, they’ve had players who haven’t had a lot of first grade, they don’t have their halfback – these are all excuses."