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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Is this the tactical masterstroke poised to unlock Reece Walsh and deliver the Broncos to a shock finals berth? Pat Carrigan certainly seems to think so.<\/p>\n The premiers\u2019 season is teetering on the brink of collapse, but there were signs in the club\u2019s boilover of Penrith last week to suggest an unlikely charge to September beckoned.<\/p>\n It all centred on Walsh playing as much a halfback role as a fullback \u2013 a ploy set to be replicated come Saturday night\u2019s clash with the Cowboys.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to wait and see,\u201d Carrigan said when asked if Walsh\u2019s increased involvement would become the norm.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he\u2019s running the ball and he wants to be in the game, he\u2019s got his hands on the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cI know if I was an opposition defence, the less he has it in his hands the safer I\u2019d feel too.\u201d<\/p>\n The Origin cameo<\/p>\n Walsh grew up in the halves before blossoming into a fullback, but it was as a chief playmaker that he threatened to orchestrate a Queensland Maroons\u2019 comeback earlier this month.<\/a><\/p>\n The 24-year-old frequently jumped into first receiver in State of Origin game three \u2013 after being injected in the second half following Sam Walker\u2019s departure for a head injury assessment \u2013 and he looked threatening with every touch.<\/p>\n He threw the first pass in the procession that led to Selwyn Cobbo\u2019s try, and while Bradman Best would run away to score from his cross-field punt, the kick itself was near perfect.<\/p>\n Halfbacks and five-eighths are put through far more rigorous defensive duties in the frontline.<\/p>\n But Walsh\u2019s 88.89 per cent tackle efficiency this season is by far a career-best figure \u2013 having averaged 70.2 per cent across his past five seasons.<\/p>\n His kicking game has long been an asset as well, and was on show once again against Penrith to pin the competition heavyweights deep in their own end.<\/p>\n While skipper and No.7 Adam Reynolds possesses one of the game\u2019s sharpest boots, the veteran was credited with just six kicks for 188 metres compared to Walsh\u2019s 15 attempts for 495 metres.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Walsh even teased that a long-term move to the halves could be on the cards.<\/p>\n \u201cI grew up playing in the halves, so I don\u2019t mind getting my body in front. I\u2019ll obviously do a bit more practice there, so that might be something for the future for myself,\u201d he said from the Suncorp Stadium sheds after the Origin decider.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually enjoyed it a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n The Penrith masterclass<\/p>\n The signs were ominous early that Penrith would have to contain Walsh at his best.<\/p>\n Less than four minutes into the contest, Walsh called for the ball from hooker Cory Paix on the last tackle before placing a perfectly weighted grubber kick behind the defensive line for Jordan Riki to open the scoring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n His assist for Kotoni Staggs for Brisbane\u2019s second try was more customary of a fullback \u2013 looping out the back and passing for his strike centre.<\/p>\n But in setting up the match-winning try for Josiah Karapani, Walsh took it upon himself to be the chief conductor \u2013 jumping into dummy half on the final play of the set and targeting the short side, before firing a cutout pass to his winger.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n He then stood up to truly steal the show \u2013 replacing Reynolds as the goal kicker and nailing the sideline attempt.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Walsh\u2019s 86 touches for the clash \u2013 almost as many as Reynolds (56) and five-eighth Ezra Mam (40) combined \u2013 is believed to be a record among NRL fullbacks. His most involvements in 2026 before Friday night was 53.<\/p>\n But Carrigan suggested it was not necessarily a game plan to ensure his close mate dominated the possession tally and overcalled Reynolds and Mam when he saw a chance to strike.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just part of professional organisations \u2013 there\u2019s no ego there, and if you\u2019re worried about how many times you touch the ball, I think your attention is in the wrong place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThose boys are going to get the lion\u2019s share of possession, and rightly so, and we\u2019re going to back what they do.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just encourage him [Walsh] to keep playing what he sees, and we have to support him in that capacity. If that keeps us getting two [competition] points, then we\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n The future<\/p>\n Despite Reynolds\u2019 imminent retirement, a full-time shift to the halves by Walsh is unlikely any time soon, with Jonah Pezet arriving next season and Tom Duffy showing promise in the No.7 jumper.<\/p>\n Brisbane would also be hesitant to lose Walsh\u2019s improved defensive positioning at the back after he saved two tries in the opening half against the Panthers \u2013 his first with a desperate diving tackle on Scott Sorensen, and the second through his pure speed to win the race to an in-field kick.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It\u2019s still far too early to crown the Broncos as premiership contenders once again, as they would need to win all seven remaining games to secure a finals spot.<\/p>\n But Walsh proved last year that when he is on his game, he is near impossible to stop, as he inspired a seven-game winning run to the title.<\/p>\n The club says it\u2019s not relying on their mercurial custodian to conduct a one-man rescue mission.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t afford to rest on any laurels \u2013 that was great that it happened last year, but it\u2019s game by game,\u201d Broncos prop Ben Talty said.<\/p>\n Carrigan added: \u201cFor sure you take confidence on the back of what we did last year, but there\u2019s no point looking too far ahead because we\u2019ve got a really good challenge on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Reece](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784748644_435_66fd86b2eb84f19489e39cfd2924988842d37243.jpeg\")
Reece Walsh produced his best game this year against Penrith. Will a key tactical shift continue?Getty Images<\/p>\n