Reece Walsh’s coach and teammates have gone into bat for the superstar fullback after claims the fullback’s middle finger gesture to Raiders supporters was in response to ugly comments made about his daughter.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

Walsh was sin binned for a headbutt on Hudson Young and on his way to the sheds, gave the middle finger to the Canberra faithful.

However, in a nasty twist, Channel 9 presenter Karl Stefanovic claimed on television that Walsh copped comments from some Raiders fans about his four-year-old daughter.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

It has also been revealed by Code Sports that some away supporters at Broncos games have also directed nasty comments at Walsh about his daughter.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire says his star No. 1 unfairly “cops a lot”.

“Until you see it and see what he goes through, he goes through quite a bit and I do feel for him,” Maguire said.

“That is part of the game. Reece unfortunately has to work his way through that which is unfair on him

“He has copped a lot, but he is understanding how to manage it … That’s the maturity part of Reece.

“He enjoys family life and he’s got his beautiful young daughter.

“A lot of people don’t see the great things he does in the background. Whenever the fans come to training, he finds time for them.”

Judiciary hands down Walsh verdict | 00:32

MORE NRL NEWS

CRAWLS: Why I put my hand up in Walsh debate; Bellamy shows Dogs how it’s done

TEAM TIPS: Broncos star suffers ACL injury in crushing Madge blow; Dogs’ bench call

DONE DEAL: Knights’ search for new coach over, ex-Wallabies boss to take key role

Sunday’s Broncos and Raiders clash blew up when Walsh and Young had their run in, which resulted in both players being binned.

Walsh’s fiery reaction to Young’s taunting was an overreaction, but as Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt explained on radio, the Raiders had been chipping away at the Brisbane fullback all game long.

“They were going at ‘Walshy’ the whole game, right from the kick-off,” Hunt told radio station 4BC.

“They were chirping at him and trying to get under his skin and throwing him off his game … They were booing him the whole game, the players, the crowd were at him and at him.

“It was probably a bit silly from Reece (to react to Young), but Hudson gets up in his face and is talking trash to him and you feel like you have to do something … I would say he regrets doing that.”