Broncos star returns against Sydney Roosters with Maroons coach Billy Slater a keen viewer
Let that sink in for a bit. British music star Ed Sheeran has played in front of Sydneysiders more often than Brisbane Broncos main man Reece Walsh in the last 18 months.
Sheeran performed at Accor Stadium three times in February, and even AC/DC’s aging rockers delighted fans at the venue twice over the summer. That’s the same number of games Walsh has played in the Harbor City since the start of the 2025 season.
The last time he played on Sydney soil before this was in the first Origin of 2024 when he was sent off after Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i knocked him out after seven minutes.
Saturday night will be Walsh’s third game in Sydney since the start of last year when he returns from a broken cheekbone and foot injury to play for the Broncos against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Walsh was included in the club’s squad Roosters’ rumbles in the first round He did not play in Sydney until last year’s grand final against Melbourne.
A knee injury last year meant he did not feature in matches against him. souths And Manly while missing a match at Accor Stadium and 4 Pines Park respectively. Come from behind win over Bulldogs Due to duty of origin.
The Broncos played one game at Campbelltown in Sydney this season, which Walsh missed due to injury.
Despite his limited playing time, Walsh still has a large following south of the Queensland border. Young fans lined up for more than an hour to take his photo before he boarded the team bus one night in Campbelltown in 2024. Schoolgirls ran down a busy street in Parramatta Wait to take selfies when they see you drinking coffee.
Stadium officials estimate there will be close to 25,000 spectators against the Roosters on Saturday night and they say this is boosted by the return of Walsh.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been surprised by the lack of games Walsh has played in Sydney since taking charge of the premierships.
The plate placed on his face means Walsh is less prone to new fractures, while it also marks a full recovery from the foot injury he suffered at home a few weeks ago, which required several stitches on the bottom of his foot.
“It’s a pretty surprising statistic about Sydney games; everyone appreciates a quality footballer and ‘Reecy’ is certainly one of them,” Maguire told the outlet.
“He’s got a lot of work to do within the game and you have to remember he’s only 23. He’s entering the best years of his football career at the moment.
“He’s a really humble person. He has a beautiful daughter, he’s a family man, he spends a lot of time with his family.”
“HE 1777599842 understands his game better than he does; He knows when to inject himself. “Everyone sees Reece’s flashy plays and incredible moments, but he wants to be one of the top players who is consistent week in and week out.”
While the debate among NSW fans centers on whether Roosters captain James Tedesco or Penrith’s Dylan Edwards will be the No.1 pick, Walsh’s return and the return of fellow Sunday Maroon Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) have coach Billy Slater wringing his hands. Queensland incumbent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also been in strong form for the Dolphins.
“Reece has the ability to get people off their seats and excited about the game,” Slater said of Walsh.
“It’s always exciting to watch him because he can do things that are difficult to do on the football field, but they are easy things for him.
I have no doubt that he will go out on the field doing his best for the football team, without thinking about entertaining the crowd.
“The standard he achieved at the end of last year was incredible and it is always difficult to repeat that.
“Look at last year’s finals series and if it doesn’t have the defensive mentality of the grand final, the Broncos probably don’t have that trophy in their cabinet.
“But he’s working hard on areas of his game that probably aren’t always highlighted.
“I’ve known Reece since he made his NRL debut. I’ve been part of his sanctuary ever since. I know how hard he works. He’s got a great inner drive to improve and compete.”
“There is no one more excited than me to watch Reece and Kalyn Ponga return this weekend.”
Ponga is one of several Knights to return for a sell-out home clash with South Sydney in form. The re-signed skipper was excellent in round one, then limped off midway through the first half of round two against Manly.
Slater pointed out a passage of play by Ponga against the Sea Eagles which proved him to be in excellent touch.
“He scored a goal, but going back to the moment before that, he was in the corner and he was taking a hard hit, then he gets up and he was the man on the other side of the pitch making the play,” Slater said.
“Kalyn seems to be in a really good position, she’s re-signed, settled in and is in the sweet spot of her career. She knows who she is and what she wants from her career.”
