Premiership depth test: How the Broncos plan to fill $2.5m void
Jesse Arthars has vowed to prove he still has a future at Red Hill, declaring he does not feel any pressure to emulate Reece Walsh as he prepares to step into the fullback’s jersey.
Despite emerging 26-12 victors over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, their third win on the trot, Brisbane have been left reeling from injuries to three of their biggest stars – Walsh (fractured cheekbone) joined by skipper and halfback Adam Reynolds (adductor) and Ben Hunt (knee).
Walsh is expected to miss the next four to six weeks after going under the knife, with Reynolds uncertain to feature in Friday night’s clash with the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, despite being named in the No.7 jumper.
Hunt, who played through a grade three MCL tear against the Titans, will miss close to two months.
It leaves the reigning premiers with roughly $2.5 million worth of talent sidelined, as utility Billy Walters (ACL), Grant Anderson (MCL) and reserve centre Delouise Hoeter (broken fibula and syndesmosis) continue their respective rehabilitations.
The versatile Arthars – who has played wing, centre and fullback in the NRL – has been fighting for his future and is off contract at season’s end.
While back-up No.1 Hayze Perham, who missed 2025 after rupturing his ACL, has been impressive for Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup – averaging 182 running metres a game and yet to miss a tackle to earn a place on the six-man bench – Broncos coach Michael Maguire has entrusted Arthars to step into Walsh’s place.
Winger Josiah Karapani, who was stood down for a game after being issued a fine and public nuisance offence by Queensland Police, will make his comeback on Arthars’ wing.
“I want to stay here, I’m not looking to go elsewhere,” Arthars said, who made his first NRL appearance of the year against the Titans, scoring a try and running for 182 metres.
“My mindset going into every season is to be available for any position, I’ve never really seen myself as stuck in one spot, so I like to train and prepare in different positions for opportunities like this.
“It helps the resume a bit if you can play different positions, so I think it’s a positive.”
While the loss of the mercurial Walsh is a hammer blow to Maguire’s attack, the loss of Reynolds and Hunt thrusts pressure on five-eighth Ezra Mam to become the chief playmaker.
Should Reynolds fail to overcome his issue, rookie Tom Duffy would garner a promotion from jersey No.18 to the starting side.
Duffy’s Broncos debut would come against his former Cowboys teammates, having shown impressive signs for Souths Logan this year – coming up with seven try assists in four games while taking on the bulk of the kicking duties, and forcing five dropouts in the process.
The 21-year-old was given first crack at being the Cowboys’ long-term halfback last year on the back of a breakout Queensland Cup season – coming up with 33 try assists in 2024, with his kicking game a particular highlight – but was axed after two games before signing a one-year deal with Brisbane.
While Duffy will be tasked with keeping the Broncos’ momentum rolling Reynolds cautioned “patience” when it came to expectations heaped on young playmakers making the jump into NRL.
“Young halfbacks come into the system these days, and the media is pretty quick to jump on them and tell them they’re doing a poor job or a good job. As long as they’re listening to the right people, that’s all that matters – their coaching staff and players around them,” Reynolds said.
“They don’t need to worry about the outside world or what’s being said, it’s about trying to deliver and learn and do the best by their teammates.”
Hunt’s role as the bench rake will be taken by Blake Mozer, who has not been sighted in the NRL since the club’s final match of 2024 despite being heralded as the Broncos’ long-term hooker.
The 21-year-old battled back and jaw injuries for much of 2025, and has started just once for the Burleigh Bears in reserve grade this year. But fellow Brisbane No.9 Cory Paix believed the youngster was ready to make his mark.
“Patience is the key really, you’ve just got to be ready because you never know when you’ve got to be called upon,” Paix said.
“Blake will come in and do a great job, he’s got all the ability in the world, and he’s just got to go out there and be Blake Mozer.”
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