NRL fans are rallying around Broncos gun Billy Walters after the make-shift five-eighth suffered a potential season-ending injury in their win over the Raiders. Walters helped inspire the Broncos to a remarkable and controversial 29-28 comeback against the Raiders with his side winning in golden point after a Ben Hunt drop goal.
Both teams were exhausted after the finals blockbuster with the Broncos now afforded a week off after completing one of the greatest comebacks the game has ever seen. Unfortunately, Walters played through ACL damage during the game and is set to miss the preliminary final against either the Bulldogs or the Panthers.
Billy Walters (far left) has been sensational for the Broncos amid the absence of first-choice halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Walters didn’t appear to show any trouble at the time, but the Broncos confirmed the injury to the five-eighth who is now an outside chance of returning if the Broncos make the NRL grand final. Brien Seeney ‘NRL Physio’ claimed the ACL damage suggests Walters has a ‘partial tear’.
While the Broncos are working out the next steps for Walters, Seeney suggested the timeline for his return can range. Some players have returned after just a week if the damage isn’t serious. Broncos fans will be hoping this is the case after the utility seeing out the game and celebrating after the siren. Although a partial tear can lead to surgery and it could see Walters out for up to nine months.
Unfortunately for Walters, the injury is reportedly in the same knee he ruptured in 2020. This could see the Broncos remain cautious over their utility star. The Broncos will have this weekend off, but Walters will likely miss the preliminary final with no official call yet.
Brisbane Broncos fans rally around Billy Walters
Fans have been left absolutely gutted for the 31-year-old who is in career-best form for the Broncos. While duelling it out for a No.9 position for most of the year, Walters has filled in at No.6 after Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam both went down with hamstring injuries in round 23.
And the Broncos have been in sensational form since having won five in a row, which has included wins over the Storm and the Raiders in consecutive weeks. Fans are wishing Walters a quick recovery with the star an outside chance of returning if the side make the NRL grand final.
Patrick Carrigan to miss preliminary final after ban
Coach Michael Maguire won’t be able to call on influential forward Patrick Carrigan Carrigan in the preliminary final after the side opted not to fight his ban. The Broncos accepted Carrigan’s one-game ban for his high tackle on Canberra forward Morgan Smithies that has ruled him out of the mist-win clash. While Reece Walsh escaped a ban for his controversial head-butt and is set to line-up against either the Bulldogs or Panthers.
Patrick Carrigan (pictured) will miss the preliminary final for the Broncos.
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Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam near return
While Carrigan and Walters are set to miss the preliminary final, Captain Reynolds, five-eighth Mam and outside back Selwyn Cobbo have all returned to training and could make a return. Alll three injured their hamstrings in round 23 against the Melbourne Storm.
Reynolds and Mam could be making a timely comeback for the knockout clash, which would see Hunt move to No.9 and Walsh remain at fullback. This was originally Maguire’s first-choice spine. Reynolds’ kicking game is a huge bonus to the side and Maguire will most likely throw the halfback straight into the big game if fit.
However, Maguire remained coy about Reynolds’ return after the win over the Raiders. “I don’t know,” he said. “(Reynolds) is travelling well, and then you have to adjudicate how much players have been playing and the momentum of the side. I will look at the game and how we are moving and doing things. The boys are doing a good job, so it’s a nice place to be as a coach, to have decisions, and I will make them moving forward.”