Walsh steamrolled by Cowboys flyer’s ‘statement’ run

He’s known as “Reece Lightning” – but Reece Walsh may have had the lightning belted out of him.

The Broncos superstar was put flat on his back by a rampaging Braidon Burns on the stroke of half-time on Saturday night, when the Cowboys flyer surged in off the right wing and ran at Walsh like a bull at a gate.

Burns linked up with Jake Clifford and the Cowboys five-eighth did the rest, racing away to extend North Queensland’s lead in Townsville.

“Gee, that’s a statement there,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Earlier in the first half, won by North Queensland 14-4, Walsh had been smashed by Queensland State of Origin teammate Reuben Cotter.

The Broncos fullback fielded a kick on the full and made a slight turn as he did so – and the Cowboys enforcer thumped into his back.

The 2025 Clive Churchill Medallist got up grimacing and clutching at his back.

Importantly, though, neither of the heavy blows – the Cotter hit or Burns’ railroading run – forced Walsh off the field.

But the Broncos lost the game, going down 18-10 in a defeat that killed any remaining hope they had of qualifying for the finals.