Premiership winner Chad Townsend has urged the Brisbane Broncos to continue to find ways to give Reece Walsh more time on the ball with all eyes on the fullback heading into the 2026 season. Walsh was the standout player in the backend of the 2025 NRL season with his scintillating form helping the Broncos lift the premiership trophy after defeating the Melbourne Storm in the grand final.
Plenty of his individual success came when coach Michael Maguire needed to come up with solutions in the spine after Billy Walters, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds all went down injured. This gave Walsh more responsibility in the side and he thrived with the ball in hand at fullback.
Chad Townsend feels the Brisbane Broncos need to find new ways to give Reece Walsh (pictured right) the freedom to thrive as teams will target the fullback heading into the 2026 season. (Images: Getty Images)
Walsh carried over his form to the international arena with the 23-year-old becoming the biggest superstar in the game. However, there will be plenty of eyes on Walsh to start the 2026 season.
The fullback struggled in the first-half of last season under Maguire as he battled to gel with the new-look Broncos spine. But Walsh found his feet having gone on an incredible run that saw him drag the Broncos to the title, which involved a stunning defensive moment in the grand final.
Maguire will most likely revert to his first choice spine in 2026 with Ben Hunt starting at dummy-half, Mam and Reynolds in the halves and Walsh wearing the No.1 jersey. And former Sharks and Cowboys halfback Townsend feels the Broncos need to capitalise on this momentum.
Townsend wants to see Walsh receive more responsibility, which is what he feels brings out the best in the No.1. “The Broncos will want to gear their game and style of play to bring out the best of Reece Walsh,” Townsend said on SEN Radio on Tuesday morning.
“Give him the opportunities to thrive and really continue the form he showed which basically won them the Premiership. The involvement and touches that Walsh was doing and his kicking (increased).
“I saw a lot more responsibility take upon Reece Walsh when Reynolds missed some games. Moving into 2026, the Broncos must find ways to give Walsh the opportunities to thrive… Teams will have gameplans to try and effectively shut him down.”
There is no doubt teams will look to disrupt the Broncos fullback’s game in 2026 with the 23-year-old returning to training this week. Before the NRL season, the side will play the World Club Challenge against Hull KR.
Hull KR to welcome the Brisbane Broncos
Super League champions Hull KR will host the Broncos at MKM Stadium on February 20. The Broncos will be looking to do what the Panthers couldn’t and bring the WCC trophy back to Australia. Patrick Carrigan is expected to play in the clash, despite undergoing surgery on his finger in the off season.
Fans are also waiting to find out if Brendan Piakura will be fit for the clash after injuring his knee during training. And Maguire will be looking to create history with the Broncos with English sides having won the trophy 15 of the 29 times, The Melbourne Storm had their 2010 title stripped for salary cap breaches.
The Brisbane Broncos will take on Hull KR in the World Club Challenge.