Reece Walsh spotted in telling move as Broncos finish NRL season in 'embarrassing' scenes

Reece Walsh was in attendance this time, but it still couldn't help the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night as they suffered a humiliating end to their disastrous NRL season. With their finals hopes extinguished last weekend, the Broncos were put to the sword by the Melbourne Storm in a 50-12 thrashing.

After being given permission to skip last weekend's game against the Dolphins - which sparked some controversy - Walsh made sure there was no repeat this time around. The young fullback was spotted in the coach's box during Thursday night's game alongside Kevin Walters, and assistants John Cartwright and Lee Briers.

Cricket legend Ian Healy made eye-opening claims on SEN radio on Wednesday that Walsh might not have been given permission to skip the Dolphins game. But the Broncos later told Yahoo Sport Australia: "Kevvie (Walters) and Reece both agreed it was best for him to stay home and continue his recovery (from a fractured hand) and be with his family. We were all aware of his whereabouts."

Healy clarified his comments on Thursday and suggested there was some friction in the Broncos camp that Walsh wasn't at the game last weekend, especially considering their season was on the line. "He was approved not to go to the game last weekend. But the communication might not have got all the way through the troops," Healy said. "I found out a few weren’t happy that he wasn’t there, but the Broncos contacted me and said it had been approved.”

Reece Walsh watches on as Broncos make unwanted history

Walsh made sure he was in attendance on Thursday night, but he watched on in disappointment as his side's season ended in more embarrassment. The Broncos will finish the season in 12th - their biggest fall in club history after coming second in 2023 and making the grand final.

The Broncos conceded more than 600 points this season for just the third time in their history, highlighting the defensive issues Walters will need to address in the off-season. "It's just been a tough year, a disappointing year for everyone involved in the club," the coach said.

"I just need some time now to fix the place up. I've got some opinions myself, but I'll keep my emotions in check just at the moment and we'll ... get our review started on Monday."

The Storm made 10 line breaks in the first half alone and led 28-6 at the break. Fullback Sua Fa'alogo was on fire before picking up a hamstring injury, while winger Will Warbrick and halfback Jahrome Hughes both scored hat-tricks.

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Kevin Walters doesn't think wholesale changes are needed

Despite the disastrous year, Walters said he won't be making too many changes to his roster for 2025. "I don't believe we need to. I honestly believe that the talent is inside the building," he said. "We've just got to get that talent all working together in the right direction. We've done it before and we'll do it again."

The Broncos lost centre Herbie Farnworth and three forwards – Kurt Capewell, Tom Flegler and Keenan Palasia – from last year's grand final side before the 2024 season. They signed Jaiyden Hunt, Jack Gosiewski and Fletcher Baker as replacements, but none of the trio fired and all were injured at various stages.

They will likely bid farewell to forward Kobe Hetherington, who has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs, while winger Corey Oates and prop Martin Taupau have also not been offered new contracts. "We've got enough talent here. We had five guys, five of our starters (worth) $4 million, sitting on the sidelines tonight," Walters said. "I'm not sure if anyone realised that, but we need to be better as a group and as a club than what we were tonight."

with AAP