{"id":107476,"date":"2025-08-30T22:08:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T22:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/107476\/"},"modified":"2025-08-30T22:08:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T22:08:09","slug":"fans-blast-embarrassing-moment-as-reece-walsh-leads-broncos-into-top-four-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/107476\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans blast ’embarrassing’ moment as Reece Walsh leads Broncos into top-four spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

NRL<\/a> fans are once again fuming over the state of officiating after the Broncos scored a vital try against the Cowboys on Saturday night off what appeared to be a blatant forward pass. Reece Walsh<\/a> produced a typically rocks or diamonds display as the Broncos moved into the top-four with a 38-30 victory.<\/p>\n

Thankfully for Brisbane there were more diamonds than rocks, and Walsh was electric with ball in hand for the fourth week running. The star fullback had a try and two assists to go with 10 tackle-breaks and five line-break assists. He also ran for 195 metres from 20 carries and kicked five out of seven conversions.<\/p>\n

\"Reece<\/p>\n

Reece Walsh (L) was brilliant for the Broncos, but there was controversy over a couple of their tries against the Cowboys. Image: Getty\/Fox League<\/p>\n

However there was controversy around one of the Broncos’ three second-half tries after Walsh once again provided a line-break assist. Gehamat Shibasaki streamed downfield off a lovely ball from Walsh, before throwing it back inside for Billy Walters to score.<\/p>\n

However Shibasaki’s final pass looked blatantly forward, and never appeared to leave his hands in any other direction. “That looked forward,” said Andrew Voss on Fox League.<\/p>\n

On Channel 9, Phil Gould said: “Did no-one see that? Oh my god. Run onto that.” Brad Fittler added: “It ends up going forward but no-one sees it.”<\/p>\n

\"Broncos<\/p>\n

The Broncos moved into the NRL top four with the win. (AAP Image\/Supplied by NRL Photos)<\/p>\n

NRL fans blast ’embarrassing’ moment<\/p>\n

It gave the Broncos a 32-24 lead and ended up proving decisive after the Cowboys scored another try to narrow the gap. There were also question marks over a pass that Walsh threw to Shibasaki for the Broncos’ fifth try.<\/p>\n

On social media, fans were livid. It came after Alex Johnston scored a try for the Rabbitohs<\/a> last week from a pass that was a mile forward. Former Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend was among the many to slam the decision to award the Walters try and not call the pass forward.<\/p>\n

One person wrote: “These forward passes are ridiculous. Everyone saw it but the refs.” Another fan said it was “quite literally embarrassing” for the game. While a third added: “After watching the footy tonight, time’s up for the bunker. A blatant forward pass is missed and a try is given, and then a knock-on that could only be spotted in freeze frame after several views stops a try.”<\/p>\n

The bunker should be able to call forward passes when reviewing a try. It\u2019s a joke. The NRL need to fix this.<\/p>\n

\u2014 truth_terror2 (@Truth_Terror2) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Broncos know they have to be better in NRL finals<\/p>\n

Cowboys fans were also crying foul when Jeremiah Nanai was denied a late try for a supposed knock-on. The Bunker official ruled that Nanai got a touch before the ball hit Kotoni Staggs, and then he regathered to score – which constitutes a knock-on.<\/p>\n

The win for the Broncos moves them into the top-four with one round remaining before finals, after the Warriors lost to Parramatta<\/a> on Friday night. “I’m glad we got the win. We knew the Cowboys were going to come out firing,” Walsh told Fox Sports. “It is always an awesome challenge going up against them in Townsville.”<\/p>\n

Broncos coach Michael Maguire said the win was far from impressive. “We’ve got a little bit to work on,” he said. “I saw patches there that represented how we are growing … but we still aren’t satisfied with how we played.”<\/p>\n