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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Jesse Arthars has vowed to prove he still has a future at Red Hill, declaring he does not feel any pressure to emulate Reece Walsh as he prepares to step into the fullback\u2019s jersey.<\/p>\n Despite emerging 26-12 victors over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, their third win on the trot, Brisbane have been left reeling from injuries to three of their biggest stars \u2013 Walsh (fractured cheekbone) joined by skipper and halfback Adam Reynolds (adductor) and Ben Hunt (knee).<\/p>\n Walsh is expected to miss the next four to six weeks after going under the knife,<\/a> with Reynolds uncertain to feature in Friday night\u2019s clash with the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, despite being named in the No.7 jumper.<\/p>\n Hunt, who played through a grade three MCL tear against the Titans, will miss close to two months.<\/p>\n It leaves the reigning premiers with roughly $2.5 million worth of talent sidelined, as utility Billy Walters (ACL), Grant Anderson (MCL) and reserve centre Delouise Hoeter (broken fibula and syndesmosis) continue their respective rehabilitations.<\/p>\n Related Article The versatile Arthars \u2013 who has played wing, centre and fullback in the NRL \u2013 has been fighting for his future and is off contract at season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n While back-up No.1 Hayze Perham, who missed 2025 after rupturing his ACL, has been impressive for Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup \u2013 averaging 182 running metres a game and yet to miss a tackle to earn a place on the six-man bench \u2013 Broncos coach Michael Maguire has entrusted Arthars to step into Walsh\u2019s place.<\/p>\n Winger Josiah Karapani, who was stood down for a game after being issued a fine and public nuisance offence by Queensland Police,<\/a> will make his comeback on Arthars\u2019 wing.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to stay here, I\u2019m not looking to go elsewhere,\u201d Arthars said, who made his first NRL appearance of the year against the Titans, scoring a try and running for 182 metres.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mindset going into every season is to be available for any position, I\u2019ve never really seen myself as stuck in one spot, so I like to train and prepare in different positions for opportunities like this.<\/p>\n \u201cIt helps the resume a bit if you can play different positions, so I think it\u2019s a positive.\u201d<\/p>\n While the loss of the mercurial Walsh is a hammer blow to Maguire\u2019s attack, the loss of Reynolds and Hunt thrusts pressure on five-eighth Ezra Mam to become the chief playmaker.<\/p>\n Should Reynolds fail to overcome his issue, rookie Tom Duffy would garner a promotion from jersey No.18 to the starting side.<\/p>\n Related Article Duffy\u2019s Broncos debut would come against his former Cowboys teammates, having shown impressive signs for Souths Logan this year \u2013 coming up with seven try assists in four games while taking on the bulk of the kicking duties, and forcing five dropouts in the process.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old was given first crack at being the Cowboys\u2019 long-term halfback last year on the back of a breakout Queensland Cup season \u2013 coming up with 33 try assists in 2024, with his kicking game a particular highlight \u2013 but was axed after two games before signing a one-year deal with Brisbane.<\/p>\n While Duffy will be tasked with keeping the Broncos\u2019 momentum rolling Reynolds cautioned \u201cpatience\u201d when it came to expectations heaped on young playmakers making the jump into NRL.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung halfbacks come into the system these days, and the media is pretty quick to jump on them and tell them they\u2019re doing a poor job or a good job. As long as they\u2019re listening to the right people, that\u2019s all that matters \u2013 their coaching staff and players around them,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t need to worry about the outside world or what\u2019s being said, it\u2019s about trying to deliver and learn and do the best by their teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n Hunt\u2019s role as the bench rake will be taken by Blake Mozer, who has not been sighted in the NRL since the club\u2019s final match of 2024 despite being heralded as the Broncos\u2019 long-term hooker.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old battled back and jaw injuries for much of 2025, and has started just once for the Burleigh Bears in reserve grade this year. But fellow Brisbane No.9 Cory Paix believed the youngster was ready to make his mark.<\/p>\n \u201cPatience is the key really, you\u2019ve just got to be ready because you never know when you\u2019ve got to be called upon,\u201d Paix said.<\/p>\n \u201cBlake will come in and do a great job, he\u2019s got all the ability in the world, and he\u2019s just got to go out there and be Blake Mozer.\u201d<\/p>\n Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Walsh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/08fdb3f58ea2e6e0f8e58d2fbb7411536b86f38c.jpeg\")
Walsh walks off the field after his injury.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Interim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e1fa964552406c5d856e0a702a1bd2824fc98d8a.jpeg\")
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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ef9e9f5d75604bdc9d9dc26937ffc594dd8488ac.jpeg\")
Tom Duffy in action for the North Queensland Cowboys during the 2024 NRL preseason trials.NRL Photos<\/p>\n