3 minute read

Volatile Reece Walsh is in the spotlight for giving Corey Oates an on-field spray, with ex-Brisbane stars Chris Walker and Steve Renouf differing on the saga.

Brisbane's season from hell has been scrutinised this week in the wake of Reece Walsh giving teammate Corey Oates an on-field spray and former Broncos holding differing views on the blow-up.

Fullback Walsh, who has made 27 errors in 13 NRL games this year, gave winger Oates a gobful for dropping a poor pass in the lamentable 46-18 loss to Gold Coast last week, the club's eighth loss in nine games.

Broncos legend Steve Renouf called Walsh's actions "disrespectful", while former winger Chris Walker said it was a product of frustration and "over-trying".

Last year Walsh was suspended for his verbal run-in with referee Chris Butler. In his defence at the judiciary Walsh said the worst of his language was directed at lock Pat Carrigan.

Captain Adam Reynolds said after that incident "whether it was to the referee, Patty or anyone in the team the language was unacceptable".

Renouf was of the same view after Saturday's incident, where Walsh had thrown a hospital pass.

"He can't be publicly spraying the most senior member of the team. Corey can say stuff as well, and I don't know exactly what was said, but it is disrespectful," Renouf told AAP.

"I don't like players blowing up at their teammates because you are a team. 

"You don't do it in public anyway. Never do it on the field. You have that conversation later in the sheds. Everyone knows the game plan but no-one is perfect."

Renouf said it was up to Broncos coach Kevin Walters and his staff to keep Walsh in check.

"They are responsible for him. Wayne Bennett would have certainly taken stock," Renouf said.

"Has Kevvie said something to him? I think he should. It is not up to us ex-players to do it because the coaching staff should have it under control."

Walker said Walsh and Oates had made up and the spray was a product of a competitive spirit, combined with a Broncos season headed south.

"Unfortunately for Reece the Broncos are sitting down the bottom of the table and there is a lot of frustration in that team that boiled over on the weekend, but I don't have a problem with it," Walker told AAP.

"Reece is over-trying because he is such a competitor and wants to win. You can't be perfect at 22. 

"I have seen Daly Cherry-Evans give people sprays. I know he is an older statesman but when is it right? When is it wrong? How old do you have to be to dish out a spray? How old does the person being sprayed have to be? 

"I look at Reece and he will make a mistake and it is because he is trying something. He's got to this position because he has backed himself. 

"Wayne Bennett always told me to back myself. That's what Reece does. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't."