Jesse Arthars has been appointed as the starting fullback for the Brisbane Broncos in light of Reece Walsh’s injury, specifically a fractured cheekbone. This strategic decision comes ahead of the highly anticipated match against the North Queensland Cowboys, set to take place at Lang Park on Friday night.
Despite sustaining an injury during last week’s victory over the Gold Coast Titans, Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has been included in the starting lineup. He was forced to leave the field in the first half of that match due to an adductor issue.
Injuries from the previous game have impacted the Broncos significantly, with Walsh and teammate Ben Hunt—who is dealing with an MCL injury—both sidelined for several weeks. Although Reynolds is listed to play, his fitness remains uncertain as he continues to recover.
Arthars stepped in effectively for Walsh during the match against the Titans, transitioning from the wing to fullback after Walsh’s unfortunate injury just before halftime. While acknowledging Walsh’s status as a star player, Arthars expressed that he does not feel pressured to replicate Walsh’s style. “I don’t feel the pressure. Obviously, we are two different players and I just want to bring my strengths,” he stated, emphasizing his desire to earn the trust of his teammates and coach Michael Maguire.
His teammates have highlighted Arthars’s excellent organizational skills and powerful ball-running ability as critical attributes. “Those are the areas I really want to focus on if I am going to be playing fullback. I like to bring a lot of energy and talk a lot around the club,” he remarked, affirming his readiness for the role.
In preparation for the upcoming match, Reynolds has been actively testing his groin injury with a trainer. He plans to rest and monitor his recovery throughout the week to determine his availability for Friday’s game.
Additionally, Tom Duffy has been named as a backup halfback for the Broncos. The 22-year-old, who previously played for the Cowboys, is ready to step in if Reynolds is unable to participate. Arthars, who has been playing alongside Duffy in the Queensland Cup with Souths Logan, expressed confidence in Duffy’s capabilities. “If he does get a shot, it is going to be awesome for him,” Arthars said, highlighting Duffy’s strengths as an organizer and communicator on the field.
In further roster updates, Blake Mozer will take over Hunt’s position as a substitute, marking his first appearance in the NRL this season. Josiah Karapani is also set to return to the lineup after being dropped last week due to disciplinary reasons.
