‘Scrap and fight’ leads Broncos to promised land: Walsh
Joel Gould |
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has flair and skill coming out of his ears but is adamant the side can win the NRL premiership based on the metrics of resilience and toughness.
Walsh had one of the best games of his career in the 38-28 win over the Dolphins on Saturday night. He was ‘Battle Medal’ winner as man of the match and ignited a comeback after the Broncos trailed 28-14.
In a sign of the 23-year-old’s maturity, Walsh looked back at the 22-2 loss to Melbourne the previous week amid adversity as a catalyst for igniting belief and intestinal fortitude in the team.
The Broncos lost captain Adam Reynolds and his halves partner Ezra Mam early in that match but did not roll over.
Walsh said that mentality was a key in getting the side off the canvas against the Dolphins.
“It would have been pretty easy for us to drop our heads and bow out of that game,” he said..
“Melbourne Storm, they’re a quality team, and they can put some points on. Obviously we didn’t get the result, but I thought we showed the spirit we’ve been looking for and chasing the whole time that I’ve been at the club. There was a lot of fight.
“Tonight obviously we weren’t at our best, but we could have easily just bowed away and let that quality Dolphins team run away with it.
“I felt like we chose to dig our heels in and scrap and fight for everything.”
The Broncos, in sixth position, could finish as high as fourth. Whatever position they enter the finals, Walsh insists the players believe a seventh premiership is within reach
“I think 100 per cent we do. We look at the roster that we have,” he said.
“We took a lot out of last week and the way we fought, a lot of lessons.
“Obviously it hasn’t been the best season for us, but I feel like if we can keep knuckling down and working hard for each other, anything’s possible.”
Walsh began the Dolphins game with tough runs from back-field and set up a try for Kotoni Staggs in the first half before starting and finishing one himself in a 55m raid.
His 40/20 when the Broncos trailed 28-14 turned the game and he ignited another long-range try for Josiah Karapani.
His 249 metres from 19 runs, two line break assists, try assist and 18 points from six goals and a try was the statistical haul from a masterclass.
Walsh has copped criticism from former players for overplaying his hand in games. It hasn’t stopped him from backing himself.
“It’d be pretty easy for me to shy away and not want to put my hand up,” Walsh said.
“I feel if I ever did that, it’d probably be a dishonour to myself to let someone else do that and just sit back and not chase the game.
“I’ve just got to keep working on my process, doing my job and I’ll take whatever criticism it is if I’m trying to be the best teammate I can.”
The Broncos won their first match without Reynolds since Magic Round in May last year. His replacement, veteran Ben Hunt, stood up with three try assists in the second half.
“We’ve got faith in every single person in the squad,” Walsh said.
“It takes a squad, not a team to push for the finals.”
AAP
