Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh has fiercely defended his embattled teammate in the wake of intense public criticism and a hefty $120,000 fine imposed by the club. Speaking out after a week of relentless media scrutiny and fan backlash, Walsh launched a passionate attack on what he described as “haters” targeting the player, insisting the criticism has gone too far and lacks compassion.
“He’s human like all of us,” Walsh said. “People forget that we all make mistakes, and it’s tough seeing someone I care about being torn apart like this. He’s owned up, he’s copped his punishment, and now it’s time to move on.”
The teammate in question—who has not been officially named in some reports—has faced widespread condemnation after breaching team standards, prompting the Broncos to issue a substantial fine and internal sanction. However, Walsh believes the public response has crossed a line, saying the relentless attacks are damaging and unnecessary.
“We talk a lot about mental health in sport, but then we don’t back it up with empathy,” Walsh added. “He’s learning and growing. We’ve got his back.”
Walsh’s words serve as a strong reminder of the pressures athletes face and the importance of support within a team.
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