Walters puts faith in son of a gun as Broncos wait for the all-clear on star Walsh

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters say he will not push for an early Reece Walsh return because the fullback’s substitute prepares for a reunion of types in Melbourne.

Walsh sustained a facial fracture within the Broncos’ 34-12 round-three NRL loss to Penrith.

The membership subsequently mentioned the consultant fullback would miss between 4 and 6 weeks.

However Walsh didn’t require surgical procedure and is a famous fast healer and he has been coaching at Crimson Hill in customized headgear.

Forward of Thursday’s conflict with the Storm in Melbourne, Walters would not decide to a round-six return towards cross-town rivals the Dolphins, a minimum of every week sooner than predicted.

“When Reece is prepared he’ll play once more; that is lower than me, that is as much as our medical workers,” he mentioned.

In his place Tristan Sailor has made a case for retention, the fullback bringing a distinct package deal to the desk within the primary.

“He is an excellent, very sensible footballer,” Walters mentioned.

“Completely different to Reece, he brings a distinct mentality and was nice defensively for us (towards the Cowboys final week).

“The nice groups want these gamers of their aspect.”

Sailor, the son of Broncos legend Wendell, will renew an previous rivalry with counterpart Ryan Papenhuyzen after the duo confronted off towards one another as juniors in Sydney.

“I’m the identical age as Paps. We now have come by way of collectively and versing one another in contact and footy all over,” Sailor mentioned.

“Again at school contact from beneath 15s he performed for CIS (Mixed Impartial Colleges) and I performed for CCC (Mixed Catholic Schools). Even then you might see how good he was.

“It’s actually good to see him bounce again from all of the adversity he has had. I’m actually excited to verse him once more. He’s a livewire.”

Brisbane snapped a 14-game dropping streak towards the Storm in a 26-0 semifinal romp final yr, however have not overwhelmed the workforce in Melbourne for eight years.

Melbourne have gained 40 of their 55 clashes, with one draw, since their 1998 inception.

“It’s important to say we’re conventional rivals as a result of when the membership was shaped in 1998 it was began by John Ribot, Glenn Lazarus and Chris Johns, so it had that Broncos component from day one,” Storm normal supervisor of soccer Frank Ponissi mentioned.

“After all our coach Craig Bellamy got here from the Broncos and for years and years we had a number of gamers from Queensland with the massive three of Cameron (Smith), Cooper Cronk and Billy (Slater).

“A few of them grew up supporting the Broncos. Cameron Munster is one other one now.”

Ben Te Kura, at 205cm, will turn into the tallest NRL participant when he debuts for Brisbane whereas Melbourne are poised to welcome again key trio Christian Welch (concussion), Jahrome Hughes (suspension) and Munster (groin).

Be part of Nick Campton tonight at abc.web.au/sport as ABC Sport dwell blogs all of the motion from the Storm v Broncos conflict.

AAP