Brisbane Broncos Grapple with Unprecedented Halves Crisis Ahead of Cowboys Clash
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire is confronting a brand new and daunting selection challenge as his team prepares to face the North Queensland Cowboys this Friday night. For the first time during Maguire's tenure, star players Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, and Reece Walsh are all set to be absent from the lineup simultaneously, creating a significant void in the team's playmaking and attacking capabilities.
Injury Details and Recovery Timelines
The absence of these key figures stems from a series of injuries sustained in recent matches. Ben Hunt, aged 36, will miss the upcoming showdown after scans revealed a grade three MCL injury to his knee. Hunt had been playing through the issue during the Broncos' 26-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night. His recovery is expected to take six to eight weeks, sidelining him for a substantial portion of the season.
Adam Reynolds, 35, exited the game against the Titans in the 25th minute due to a groin tweak and was replaced by Hunt. Subsequent medical assessments diagnosed a grade two adductor longus strain. The Broncos have indicated that Reynolds will require one to two weeks to recover, adding to the team's immediate selection headaches.
Superstar fullback Reece Walsh is also ruled out for four to six weeks after sustaining a facial fracture in the same match against the Titans. This triple blow marks an unprecedented scenario for Maguire, as previous injuries to these players occurred at different times. Last year, Hunt missed six games with a hamstring injury, while Reynolds was absent for five due to a similar issue, but their lay-offs did not overlap. Walsh was out for six matches in 2025, but on each occasion, either Hunt or Reynolds was available to provide him with quality ball.
Available Replacements and Team Adjustments
With Hunt and Reynolds unavailable, Ezra Mam is slated to play at No.6 against the Cowboys. However, utility player Billy Walters, who impressed in five games as starting No.6 last year, remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from an ACL rupture. This leaves the Broncos with only two other recognised halves in their top 30 squad who are fit to play.
Tom Duffy, a 22-year-old with just six NRL games to his name from his time with the Cowboys, and Josh Rogers, a 29-year-old who has played seven matches for the Broncos, are the primary options. Both players bring specific strengths to the table. Rogers, who possesses a powerful kicking game, was instrumental in Burleigh's Queensland Cup title triumph last year and can play either half or five-eighth. He last featured for the Broncos in 2024. Duffy has been solid for Souths-Logan this season, successfully landing 17 of 19 goal attempts.
The goal-kicking duties present another challenge, as Reynolds is the team's primary kicker, with Walsh as the backup. Against the Titans, centre Kotoni Staggs took over but appeared rusty, converting only one of three attempts. Both Rogers and Duffy are accomplished goal kickers, which could prove valuable in filling this gap.
Team Resilience and Coach's Confidence
Despite the injury crisis, there is a sense of resilience within the Broncos camp. Adam Reynolds expressed confidence in the squad's depth, stating, "It speaks volumes of the squad we have got here. We get injuries and players step up and do a fantastic job and we don't miss a beat." This optimism is echoed by coach Michael Maguire, who has faced similar challenges in the past. Last year, the team navigated an injury crisis successfully, and Maguire believes they can do so again as they aim for a fourth consecutive win.
Maguire praised his players' fighting spirit, saying, "I'm just really proud of how they have been fighting. They have shown their resolve and what they are capable of." With the Broncos targeting continued success, the upcoming match against the Cowboys will test the team's adaptability and the depth of their roster in the face of this unprecedented selection dilemma.
