Broncos leaders back Walsh to block out noise and find his mojo

Broncos leaders have backed Reece Walsh to continue playing his own game after his mixed performance in Brisbane’s hard-fought derby win against the Cowboys.

The superstar No.1 was visibly frustrated with himself despite a number of highlight moments, including a momentum-turning 40/20 kick in the lead-up to his side’s first try and a classy cut-out pass for winger Jesse Arthars to score and put the Broncos ahead 16-12.

After being heavily critiqued for his efforts following Brisbane’s surprise loss to Canberra, it was an improved performance – but one that also featured five errors, two penalties conceded and being put on report for a shoulder charge.

“People will probably beat up on Reece for a few things (tonight), but he had some impressive moments; 40/20, set up a try and I thought his defence was excellent. I thought he did some really good things,” five-eighth Ben Hunt said.

“(That he backs himself is) one of the best things about Reece.

“If he makes an error, he doesn't take it with him.

“He is back out there trying to play again and playing his footy so we will just encourage him to do that.”

Coach Michael Maguire said Walsh just had to “keep at it” and work through his frustrations with his form.

“Reece will be right. I've had plenty of players in situations like that, he'll be fine, he’s just got to work his way through it,” Maguire told media post-match.

“We know what he can bring to the team and every now and then, a player goes through a little bit of that, it's not uncommon for what I've seen in coaching. He's just got to work his way through that and he'll be fine.

“Keep at it, simple as that and as I just said before, I've had players that are like Reece and they go through little periods in their careers and that actually helps to find who you are, that makes you a better player.

“He probably doesn't feel it at the moment, but one thing I do know, he'll be better for it when he keeps working his way through it.

“We had a solid defensive line (against the Cowboys and) that comes from what Reece does out the back.

“It's 50/50 every game, both defence and attack and I thought that Reece was excellent defensively. The other side of the game will come, so you could see him rallying the boys around and you don't defend the way we did if you don't have a fullback rallying his troops around, so I was pleased with that.

“He's got a good supporting team around him too, that's part of it; someone else is going to go through that at some stage within the team and that's the character of the team that we want to build, is that we'll look after each other.”

As captain and a member of the spine who combines with Walsh, Adam Reynolds said he would continue to work with his young teammate at training.  

“We continually work hard at our craft at training. It will turn,” Reynolds said.

“I thought he was good (tonight). I thought he ran the ball strongly into the line.

“He organised the 'd', he was scrambling across in the corner to save tries.

“We sort of sit there and nitpick at the little mistakes that he makes, but there's a lot of great things that he's doing as well.

“Like Madge said, that'll change. We'll keep working hard and no doubt, he'll come out of this.”

The Broncos return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday to face another Queensland competitor, but will be the away team against a Dolphins outfit looking to claim a big scalp as their first win of the season.

It will be Hunt’s first game against their cross-town rivals in Broncos colours, having previously played against them with the Dragons.

“It's going to be another massive game,” Hunt said.

“Similar to (the Cowboys game), with the derby, it's going to be the Battle for Brisbane and they will come ready to play.

“It will be a tough battle, so I'm looking forward to it.”