Reece Walsh blasted for what he did during Broncos vs Roosters

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh has come under fire for what he did during the 24-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

The Broncos went into the break up 16-12 thanks to tries from Tom Duffy, Brendan Piakura, and Grant Anderson.

But the Roosters began the second half stronger, and edged their way to two crucial points, as Brisbane fell to their seventh consecutive loss.

Walsh had a solid game with some nice moments in attack and in defence, when he hauled Daly Cherry-Evans down to stop a try.

However, the maverick full-back also came in for significant criticism for his poor effort and defensive position at one key point in the game.

Walsh tracked cross-field in the 27th minute before the Roosters switched play, with James Tedesco running across the defence and executing a neat grubber kick for Robert Toia to score.

Brisbane’s star full-back had stopped running in defence and was out of position, something Tedesco spotted, which convinced him to put the kick in.

Media slam Reece Walsh for Brisbane moment

The Courier Mail highlighted Walsh’s lack of effort and did not hold back in their assessment.

“There was a moment in the 27th minute that typified the lack of desire costing the Broncos this year,” the Courier Mail reported.

“There was no urgency in anything the Broncos were doing as Tedesco crabbed cross-field before sensing Walsh was out of position.

“He put in a deft grubber kick for Robert Toia to pounce on and score as Walsh watched on. The Roosters created something from nothing with the help of Brisbane’s lethargy.”

The Courier Mail went on to compare the moment to when Penrith Panthers’ Dylan Edwards made a big defensive play, then got up and covered the next play, in his side’s loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.

Travis Meyn added: “A common theme of Maguire’s post-game dressing room speeches to the Broncos this season has been about finding the desire to do everything needed to remain at the top of your game.

“Call them the ‘one-percenters’. Diet, preparation, focus, sacrifice, training. Fighting for every play. The Broncos had that last year. Maguire’s fate may rest on making Brisbane’s golden boy and the Broncos find the hunger to do it again. Quickly.”

Reece Walsh criticism more than fair

This is brutal but necessary. Walsh is absolutely untouchable when he’s on his game. The full-back has the ability to inject himself into big moments in big games, delivering key contributions that have already landed the Broncos a Premiership.

But too many times this year, he has been lax in defence, be it the aforementioned lazy defending or, as we spoke about as far back as April, his complete inability to defend the high ball.

With nine games left, Walsh and the Broncos need another miracle.