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Michael Maguire to speak with NRL after 'strange' moment that infuriated Reece Walsh

Zachary Gates
Zachary Gates

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Broncos coach Michael Maguire will seek clarification from the NRL after Reece Walsh was forced off for a head injury assessment in a confusing moment on Sunday.

In the 63rd minute of the Broncos' Magic Round clash, won by the Warriors 42-12, Walsh was ordered off the field after a collision with Warriors prop Mitch Barnett.

However, the apparent impact wasn't obvious to the Nine broadcast team and wasn't serious enough for Brisbane to receive a penalty.

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Walsh gave the independent doctor a gobful as he stormed off the field at Suncorp Stadium. He then passed the HIA and returned to play out the game.

Reece Walsh.

Reece Walsh storms off. Nine

"That was strange," Maguire said in his post-game press conference.

"I mean, how do you not get a penalty when you've got to go off? He got hit in the head.

"The game's put a lot of good things in place around that at the moment."

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Asked if he would speak to head office about the incident, Maguire confirmed he would.

"Yeah," he said, visibly frustrated after his team's third consecutive defeat.

Walsh struggled in his final audition for State of Origin I.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

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The fullback finished with only 126 metres from 14 carries and he made three errors.

He knocked the ball on taking a carry in the fourth minute, then put a goal-line drop-out over the sideline on the full in the sixth minute.

News Corp reported prior to the game that Dolphins weapon Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had beaten Walsh to the Queensland fullback spot for game one.

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The squads for the series opener will be revealed on Monday.

"If I was picking the team, I'd pick Reece," Maguire said when asked about the report.

"I'm obviously pretty fond of what he's capable of doing, and I get to see it every day.

"He's working hard, he's doing things in the background, and I think no matter what happens with Reece ... He knows he's got to keep working hard at his game, and if he does that then those opportunities will come about at the right time.

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"He was up and about, ready to go, and if we'd done the things that we just spoke about – a bit of discipline and build a bit of pressure – then all of a sudden Reece could come alive in what he does. So we hurt ourselves today."

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