For the first time since taking over as head coach of the Brisbane Broncos, Michael Maguire will be without Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds, and Ben Hunt for selection. All three players sustained injuries during the Broncos’ recent victory against the Gold Coast Titans, and another option for the halves, Billy Walters, is also sidelined.
The Broncos are set to face the North Queensland Cowboys at Lang Park this Friday evening, presenting a unique selection dilemma for Maguire as he navigates the absence of Hunt, Reynolds, and Walsh simultaneously—an unprecedented situation during his tenure.
Last season, Hunt missed six matches due to a hamstring injury, while Reynolds was unavailable for five games, also owing to hamstring issues. However, their injuries did not coincide. Walsh, a standout fullback, missed six games in 2025, once due to selection for the Queensland squad and then for five rounds due to a PCL injury; during all those instances, either Hunt or Reynolds was present to support him.
Hunt, at 36 years old, will not participate in the upcoming match after playing through a knee injury in the Broncos’ 26-12 win over the Gold Coast on Saturday. Medical scans confirmed he has a grade three MCL injury, which will keep him out for approximately six to eight weeks. Reynolds, 35, exited the field against the Titans in the 25th minute due to a groin strain and was replaced by Hunt; scans indicated a grade two adductor longus strain, with an expected recovery time of one to two weeks. Meanwhile, Walsh will be unavailable for four to six weeks due to a facial fracture sustained during the match against the Titans.
Ezra Mam is set to assume the role of five-eighth against the Cowboys, but utility player Billy Walters, who excelled as a starting five-eighth last season, remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.
Among the top 30 players on the roster, the Broncos have only two other recognized halves available: Tom Duffy, 22, who has participated in just six NRL games for the Cowboys, and Josh Rogers, 29, who has seven appearances for the Broncos. Both Duffy and Rogers are proficient goal kickers, a significant advantage given that Reynolds is typically the team’s kicker, along with Walsh.
In the match against the Titans, center Kotoni Staggs took on the kicking duties but struggled, converting only one of three attempts. Rogers, known for his powerful kicking, played a crucial role in Burleigh’s championship win in the Queensland Cup last year and is a sizable player capable of playing in the halves or five-eighth. His last appearance for the Broncos was in 2024. Duffy has been performing well for Souths-Logan this season, successfully converting 17 of 19 goal attempts.
Despite the injury setbacks experienced last year, Maguire’s team found ways to succeed, and Reynolds expressed confidence that they would do so again as they aim for their fourth consecutive victory. “It speaks volumes about the squad we have here,” he remarked. “We face injuries, but players step up and perform exceptionally well, and we don’t miss a beat.”
Maguire also expressed his trust in the players he will field. “I’m genuinely proud of their determination,” he stated. “They have demonstrated resilience and showcased their capabilities.”
