Legend's truth bomb for Reece Walsh as Broncos investigate deleted video

Yahoo

21-05-2025

Aussie sporting legend Ian Healy says Reece Walsh should have thought about the message he was sending to his legion of followers after the Brisbane fullback posted a video of him punching a friend while wearing a boxing glove to social media. The Broncos star says it was only meant to be a bit of fun with a mate and has apologised for the since deleted TikTok clip, but angry Broncos officials have reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.
According to , Broncos officials are filthy about the timing of the clip, considering Michael Maguire's side have lost five of their last six games and are already under the pump. Walsh has been sidelined with a knee injury across that period but is expected to return for the Broncos in round 13, following their bye this weekend for round 12.
But the footage has shone another spotlight on a Brisbane side already reeling from the fallout of Martin Taupau's reported axing. The veteran prop liked a social media post criticising Maguire's coach style, prompting the club to part ways with the 35-year-old. And the Walsh incident is the last thing the Broncos need as they try to get their season and the club's image back on track.
The superstar Brisbane fullback has taken to social media to explain his actions and insists no one was hurt in the clip. Walsh said it was simply a joke between good friends but admitted to Channel Nine on Wednesday morning that it was "not a good look" for himself or the club and understands that it sends the wrong message about trivialising violence.
WATCH: Broncos to investigate footage of Reece Walsh punching a mate with a boxing glove at a gathering.Walsh posted — then deleted — the clip himself. He says it was 'just a joke' with his best mate.Club bosses aren't laughing pic.twitter.com/tipjnWBKhJ
— NRLCentral (@nrlcentrall) May 20, 2025
"Just having a laugh with my mate, obviously. 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," he told Channel Nine.
"I feel like I could have obviously chosen [my actions] a lot better. I feel like just having a laugh with my mate and putting it on social media and stuff like that. It's really important that we try and keep those things away and obviously we don't support violence in those sorts of ways. [Things] probably went a bit too far."
Speaking on his daily breakfast program with Broncos great Corey Parker, former Aussie cricket star Healy questioned why Walsh thought it was a good idea to post the footage in the first place. The Broncos star has hundreds of thousands of followers on his social media accounts - many of whom would be children - and Healy says Walsh should be setting a better example to his young fans
"Just don't show other kids or your bosses," cricket great Ian Healy said on SEN radio. "Don't post it. I don't like it, it's ridiculous. A perfect example of how a professional sportsperson has to be different. You can't do that and have all those followers, most of them young kids and women watching you do that."
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says he understands the importance of social media for players as a way of expressing themselves or connecting with fans but concedes it's a double-edged sword that stars such as Walsh should be aware of. "You don't want a reputation for being silly and you don't want to bring yourself, the game or your club into disrepute," Meninga told SEN. "So you try and stay away from all those silly things that harms your brand or allows for opinions from different sections of the community or society."
Plenty of fans believe the Broncos have overreacted by launching an investigation and insist there's nothing in the incident. But it comes amid concerns Walsh - who recently signed a $5 million contract extension - is placing too much focus on his off-field image after launching his own YouTube channel last weekend. As Brisbane's most high-profile player, Walsh has also been central to previous criticism that the club had a 'rockstar' culture that needed fixing.