Injury nightmare for unsung hero Billy Walters, Payne Haas set to overcome ankle injury for Broncos' prelim
Updated . First published at
Billy Walters might have played his last game for the year, with the Broncos confirming the in-form utility injured his knee on Sunday afternoon.
The 31-year-old has been in strong form over the past month or so, filling in at five-eighth for the injured Ezra Mam and playing a pivotal role in the win over Canberra.
However, the second-gen star's finals campaign could be over after Brisbane revealed he had suffered ACL damage during the 29-28 victory.
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Billy Walters Getty
Walters will meet with a specialist to determine the next course of action, but it appears unlikely that he would be available for the side's prelim final in a fortnight.
It's the same knee that Walters injured earlier in his career.
His versatility in the spine has been a key asset for the Broncos this season.
While his likely absence for the rest of the season is a major blow for Brisbane's hopes of a drought-breaking premiership, the news isn't all bad.
Payne Haas has been cleared of any significant damage to his ankle after battling with an injury on Sunday, leaving the field in the second half only to return for extra time.
Young forward Xavier Willison will also be cleared in time for the clash with either the Panthers or Bulldogs after spending the past six weeks out with a broken arm.
Willison had been enjoying the best run of his early career before the injury.
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Back-rower Brendan Piakura will undergo scans for a suspected facial fracture and could be out of action for the Broncos' next game.
Piakura left the field during the game at GIO Stadium and head coach Michael Maguire admitted post-game that the early signs were not looking good.
The young edge forward will undergo scans on Tuesday to determine his fate.
Brendan Piakura Getty
The club is confident halfback and captain Adam Reynolds will be fit to return from his hamstring injury, while Mam is also close to being available.
It's likely that if both of Brisbane's first-choice halves are back on deck, Ben Hunt would shift to hooker and Cory Paix would fill the bench role in Walters' absence.
Selwyn Cobbo is seen as an outside chance of playing again this year.
The latest news on the injury front comes as lock-forward Patrick Carrigan faces a one-game suspension for a high tackle on Canberra's Morgan Smithies.
Reece Walsh will escape with a fine for a headbutt on Hudson Young and for flipping the bird at Canberra fans.