Walsh free to play for Broncos in prelim; Carrigan suspended

Reece Walsh has been fined $3,000 for headbutting Raiders forward Hudson Young, avoiding a suspension that would have seen him miss the Brisbane Broncos’ preliminary final in a fortnight.

It’s not all totally fine at the judiciary for Brisbane, though, with skipper Pat Carrigan facing a one-game ban after he made a careless high tackle on Morgan Smithies in Sunday’s 29-28 golden point epic.

Carrigan could take an early guilty plea and miss just a single game through the suspension.

That would mean if Brisbane wins their preliminary final, he’ll play the grand final. The Sporting Base has heard this is the most likely decision the club will make; a loss at the judiciary would see Carrigan banned for two games.

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The Raiders weren’t particularly happy that Walsh’s headbutt wasn’t a send-off, with coach Ricky Stuart and captain Joe Tapine both suggesting it was a mistake in post-match pressers. Stuart went on to declare that the league had “set a precedent now – you’re allowed to headbutt” after full-time. He may face a fine for his presser comments.

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Elsewhere in the Broncos locker room, it looks like regular captain Adam Reynolds will return for the grand final qualifier in two weeks. Brisbane will face either Penrith or Canterbury in that do-or-die preliminary clash.

It seems like it’s one in, one out, though, with Billy Walters ruled out with ACL damage today. While he has not ruptured his knee ligaments, saving him from a nine-month recovery, it’s very unlikely the utility star will play again in the Broncos’ campaign. In the same Monday update, the club confirmed Payne Haas hadn’t suffered any serious injury on Sunday.

Fine-wise, Walsh would have paid $1.5, but he had an earlier offence for a shoulder charge against South Sydney.

Raider Zac Hosking was also fined for contacting Walsh’s leg in the final play of regular time.