Brisbane Broncos end investigation into Reece Walsh after star's wild punch video
The video showed the 22-year-old willingly punching a mate in the head.
The vision infuriated Broncos bosses, and Walsh took it down not long after.
'The club has addressed the video involving Reece Walsh, which was posted on social media,' the club said in a statement on Wenesday afternoon.
'Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgement.
'He has also offered to make a donation to the Black Dog Institute.
'The Black Dog Institute has partnered with the Brisbane Broncos for a Mental Health awareness campaign, which will see the NRL squad play in a Black Jersey on June 7 in a dedicated Mental Health Round, to shine a light on an important issue in our community.'
Walsh said he 'went too far' and admitted it was not a good look..
'I feel like I could choose them (actions) a lot better I guess,' he said.
'I feel like just having a laugh with my mate and putting it on social media, stuff like that, it's really important to try and keep those things away (from social media). We don't support violence.
'(I was) just having a laugh with my mate, obviously. You know we don't support violence and stuff like that, but obviously, it's not a good look for myself and that was all me trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends.
'There's a really cool jersey coming out that we should be talking about and not letting this overshadow it.'
It came after he addressed the clip on social media late Tuesday night.
'Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys,' he wrote on his Instagram Story.
Walsh has endured a disappointing season by his standards and is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which dashed his hopes of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin series opener.
He is expected to return to face Manly after the Broncos' bye this weekend.
Walsh was last year investigated by the NRL integrity unit over an incident in Bali that left a fan with a damaged phone.
He also made headlines for a video in which he appeared to threaten another fan's mother during an event for the 2023 grand final.
While playing for the Warriors in 2021, Walsh was arrested on the Gold Coast during a night out and later pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Phil Gould embarrasses himself in 30-second trainwreck segment
Phil Gould has embarrassed himself in a trainwreck 30-second TV segment on Monday night. The rugby league icon left viewers squirming in their seats as he refused to answer generic questions about the Bulldogs' star recruit Lachlan Galvin. It was another bad look for the Canterbury football supremo, coming just weeks after his integrity as an NRL commentator was called into question. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Gould's shadow games regarding his club's controversial courting of Galvin has left many with a sour taste in their mouth — and his performance on Monday showed his conflict of interest has reached breaking point. The 67-year-old was tight-lipped when asked about news that emerged on Monday night that his club's No. 7 was taken for scans over injury fears following the club's loss to the Tigers on Sunday. It was reported on Fox League's NRL 360 that Galvin is in 'serious doubt' to play this weekend's game against the Warriors at Accor Stadium on Sunday — and may need to spend several weeks on the sideline with the NRL finals series just five weeks away. Fans got a lot more information on Fox League than they did from Gould. You can watch the segment in the video player above. The former NSW State of Origin coach was asked by leading journalist Michael Chammas if there was 'anything to be worried about' with the scans, Gould responded: 'They don't send you for scans unless you've got something to worry about. 'So we'll see what happens. I'm not the doctor. I don't read the scans.' When asked by Cronulla premiership-winning captain Paul Gallen what body part was being assessed, Gould responded sheepishly: 'Ankle and hand I think'. When asked by 100 % Footy host Emma Lawrence if he had suffered the injury during the game, Gould responded: 'He didn't pick it up carrying his bag to the game, Emma'. When asked if there were fears Galvin's season could be over, Gould responded: 'I hope not'. It was 30 seconds of cringing for most viewers as Gould refused to give a straight answer. This is far from the only time Gould has refused to give viewers a straight answer when it comes to Galvin. It reached tipping point in May when Gould and Chammas had a heated exchange in front of the cameras when the former Penrith supremo was questioned about the club's moves behind the scenes to entice Galvin to leave the Tigers. According to NRL 360 at the time, Gould and Chammas continued their heated exchange off-air after the show. Gould earlier this year repeatedly said the club was not actively pursuing Galvin, despite making several comments praising the playmaker and saying he would go on to become the highest-paid payer in the history of the sport. Despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise, Gould insisted on 100% Footy that he was not involved in the club's pursuit of Galvin's signature. 'I never said we weren't interested (in Galvin). What I said was we're on a different course because he wasn't off contract until 2027,' he said. 'We couldn't talk to him until November.' But veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said a few days later the saga severely damaged Gould's standing with fans and the broadcaster. 'I reckon he's been seriously damaged credibility wise and his reputation has been severely damaged at Channel 9 over this,' Rothfield said on the Off the Record podcast. 'I think the punters are awake to it and they are the lifeblood of every TV network that provides the ratings. I honestly think he's been badly damaged and people won't cop his bullsh** anymore.' While speaking on Triple Ms daily NRL podcast on Tuesday, Rothfield added: 'He gets away with so much rubbish and has for years but he's been caught on the hop here and in my view, he has misled Channel 9 viewers for some time about Lachlan Galvin. 'Rugby league officials do lie and it's a fact we have to live with, but when you are being paid nearly $1 million to sit on a (TV) panel, you are there to inform and say the truth. But this is where Gus gets himself into an awkward situation. As a viewer, he hasn't been upfront with us.'
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Six reasons for massive Penrith penalty
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has revealed Penrith trainers have been involved in six separate on-field indiscretions since 2021 as Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould described the club's $50,000 fine and Corey Bocking's five-match ban as 'the greatest beat-up I have ever seen in rugby league'. Bocking was hit with a five-game ban for running in front of Gold Coast's Jayden Campbell as he lined up a conversion attempt that would have given his side a four-point lead with five minutes remaining. An irate Campbell had to compose himself and eventually missed the shot before Nathan Cleary nailed a two-point field goal to send the game into extra time. Penrith eventually won thanks to a Blaize Talagi golden-point try. PPenrith Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been banned for five matches for running in front of Jayden Campbell as he lined up a conversion. Credit: Supplied Titans coach Des Hasler was convinced that the Panthers would be breached, while Ivan Cleary was adamant that it was an honest mistake, with the club doubling down on that sentiment in a statement released after the breach notice was issued. The NRL referenced Penrith's history in the breach notice, with Shane Elford suspended earlier this year for spraying water on a ball during a match against the Cowboys, and it turns out the club's actions have not gone unnoticed. 'I think it's important to note that the Panthers will have due process and they have an opportunity to respond to the breach notice, but it's important to note there have been six separate incidents involving Penrith Panthers trainers since 2021,' Abdo said. 'So while we treat every incident on its own merits, taking into account the fact there have been several indiscretions by trainers from that club, it was important for us to take the action that we've taken. 'The breach of the rules is not a consideration of whether someone is doing something intentionally or not and we're not questioning the integrity of the club or the player (trainer) whatsoever. 'This is a simple rule and that rule has been broken, whether it was by accident or not, so it's a breach. They obviously have an opportunity to respond.' Bocking was remorseful at the time and the Panthers were adamant it was an honest mistake. Credit: Supplied Abdo wasn't aware of Gould's comments on 100% Footy but rejected claims the harsh penalties were in response to public pressure. 'This is not a reaction to social media or to the public, this is an application of the rules which we have done consistently. This is the sixth breach of the Penrith Panthers involving trainers since 2021,' he said at the launch of Indigenous Round. 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can say categorically that this is not a reaction to the public or to social media. This is an application of the rules.' The infringement has led to calls for referees to be given the power to award another shot at goal from in front of the posts, but Abdo says any potential rule change hasn't been considered. 'Luckily, this is a very unusual circumstance, one which we don't often see and one which we hope not to see again,' he said. 'At the end of the season, we'll have a look at all the on-field rules as we do. We'll hear feedback from our key stakeholders, the clubs, the players et cetera and make any considerations around changes that we think are necessary. 'At this particular point in time, there's no particular view or comment on changing anything.' The Penrith incident wasn't the only controversial moment to arise from the weekend, with several Wests Tigers players being investigated for using a Middle Eastern hand gesture called the Khod. The players taunted Bulldogs supporters after Samuela Fainu scored the match-sealing try on Sunday, with Abdo – who has Lebanese heritage – unwilling to comment on the matter. 'It's not something that I was aware of, and it's why we're taking a very close look at it to try to understand it and the context of it,' he said, with Tigers fullback Jahream Bula also refusing to comment. 'We're monitoring it but I can't really comment on it at the moment because we're taking a close look at it. 'Clearly, we don't want to be talking about these types of issues where there's potential offence to people, so we're having a very close look at what occurred and we'll take the appropriate action in the near term.' There was another controversial moment in that game, with Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton not charged for a high shot that forced Taylan May from the field. The Tigers had earlier lost Alex Seyfarth to the sin bin and will lose him for their next three matches, but Crichton avoided similar punishment, which led to calls for the NRL to use its new powers to come over the top of the match review committee. 'That's a policy decision that can be invoked by the commission,' Abdo said. 'But on the Crichton matter, clearly there are indicators available for the match review committee. One of those indicators is mitigation, and in this particular case, they ruled on mitigation. 'Crichton was low and had a wrapping action with his arms, and actually both players were low. 'He wasn't sin-binned and he wasn't charged, so we're very comfortable with that decision made by both the on-field referee and the match review committee.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Six separate incidents': Andrew Abdo explains why Penrith penalties were so harsh
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has revealed Penrith trainers have been involved in six separate on-field indiscretions since 2021 as Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould described the club's $50,000 fine and Corey Bocking's five-match ban as 'the greatest beat-up I have ever seen in rugby league'. Bocking was hit with a five-game ban for running in front of Gold Coast's Jayden Campbell as he lined up a conversion attempt that would have given his side a four-point lead with five minutes remaining. An irate Campbell had to compose himself and eventually missed the shot before Nathan Cleary nailed a two-point field goal to send the game into extra time. Penrith eventually won thanks to a Blaize Talagi golden-point try. Titans coach Des Hasler was convinced that the Panthers would be breached, while Ivan Cleary was adamant that it was an honest mistake, with the club doubling down on that sentiment in a statement released after the breach notice was issued. The NRL referenced Penrith's history in the breach notice, with Shane Elford suspended earlier this year for spraying water on a ball during a match against the Cowboys, and it turns out the club's actions have not gone unnoticed. 'I think it's important to note that the Panthers will have due process and they have an opportunity to respond to the breach notice, but it's important to note there have been six separate incidents involving Penrith Panthers trainers since 2021,' Abdo said. 'So while we treat every incident on its own merits, taking into account the fact there have been several indiscretions by trainers from that club, it was important for us to take the action that we've taken. 'The breach of the rules is not a consideration of whether someone is doing something intentionally or not and we're not questioning the integrity of the club or the player (trainer) whatsoever. 'This is a simple rule and that rule has been broken, whether it was by accident or not, so it's a breach. They obviously have an opportunity to respond.' Abdo wasn't aware of Gould's comments on 100% Footy but rejected claims the harsh penalties were in response to public pressure. 'This is not a reaction to social media or to the public, this is an application of the rules which we have done consistently. This is the sixth breach of the Penrith Panthers involving trainers since 2021,' he said at the launch of Indigenous Round. 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can say categorically that this is not a reaction to the public or to social media. This is an application of the rules.' The infringement has led to calls for referees to be given the power to award another shot at goal from in front of the posts, but Abdo says any potential rule change hasn't been considered. 'Luckily, this is a very unusual circumstance, one which we don't often see and one which we hope not to see again,' he said. 'At the end of the season, we'll have a look at all the on-field rules as we do. We'll hear feedback from our key stakeholders, the clubs, the players et cetera and make any considerations around changes that we think are necessary. 'At this particular point in time, there's no particular view or comment on changing anything.' The Penrith incident wasn't the only controversial moment to arise from the weekend, with several Wests Tigers players being investigated for using a Middle Eastern hand gesture called the Khod. The players taunted Bulldogs supporters after Samuela Fainu scored the match-sealing try on Sunday, with Abdo – who has Lebanese heritage – unwilling to comment on the matter. 'It's not something that I was aware of, and it's why we're taking a very close look at it to try to understand it and the context of it,' he said, with Tigers fullback Jahream Bula also refusing to comment. 'We're monitoring it but I can't really comment on it at the moment because we're taking a close look at it. 'Clearly, we don't want to be talking about these types of issues where there's potential offence to people, so we're having a very close look at what occurred and we'll take the appropriate action in the near term.' There was another controversial moment in that game, with Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton not charged for a high shot that forced Taylan May from the field. The Tigers had earlier lost Alex Seyfarth to the sin bin and will lose him for their next three matches, but Crichton avoided similar punishment, which led to calls for the NRL to use its new powers to come over the top of the match review committee. 'That's a policy decision that can be invoked by the commission,' Abdo said. 'But on the Crichton matter, clearly there are indicators available for the match review committee. One of those indicators is mitigation, and in this particular case, they ruled on mitigation. 'Crichton was low and had a wrapping action with his arms, and actually both players were low. 'He wasn't sin-binned and he wasn't charged, so we're very comfortable with that decision made by both the on-field referee and the match review committee.'
