Just when things started to turn around, Broncos star Reece is on the sick list
Reece Walsh missed training with the flu on Friday, but coach Kevin Walters is confident the fullback will play against Canterbury where he can expect an aerial bombardment from Matt Burton.
Walters also confirmed winger Corey Oates will come onto the bench, but was cagey about who would drop off, saying āyou will find out tomorrowā.
Oates will allow Walters to switch winger Selwyn Cobbo to fullback if Walsh does not get through the game.
āCorey is going to come in with that coverage in the outside backs and he can play in the middle too,ā Walters said.
The Broncos host the sixth-placed Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon needing to win five of their remaining six games to play finals.
The clash is also lock Pat Carriganās 100th NRL match, all for the Broncos, with bench forward Martin Taupau to play his 250th top-grade game.
Walsh was on fire in the 30-14 win over Newcastle last week where his combination with captain Adam Reynolds, who returned from a biceps tear after missing 11 weeks, was key to victory.
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āReece has been sick the last couple of days so weāve kept him away today,ā Walters said.
āHe should be right for tomorrow. Heāll be fine.
āHeās had a lot of training done with Origin and all that stuff. Itās an important part of the year to freshen him up.
āReece will get up. Heās got lots of energy with the way he plays.ā
Burton is a master of the towering bomb and with Walsh not feeling his best he can be sure to be tested.
āIām sure he will handle it well,ā Reynolds said.
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āHe loves those sorts of challenges.
āWhen he is up and about and buzzing around itās a great sign for this footy team.
āWe want him upbeat and taking the line on because thatās when Reece is at his best.
āWe donāt need him frustrated, swearing and carrying on. Thatās where I come into it to try and settle him down and get him back on the same page.
āHeās been fantastic to work with and is doing all the right things.ā
Reynolds has won a premiership at South Sydney with Sam Burgess, one of the great locks of the modern era, but said Carrigan was right up there in class.
āPat is one of the best locks Iāve ever played with,ā Reynolds said.
āHe works extremely hard on his craft, is fit and fearless. He does whatever job the team needs.
āHeās happy to take the tough carries but also has the smarts to play footy as well.
āIām grateful to be alongside him in his 100th and hopefully we can make it a win.ā
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