Brisbane is likely to fine Reece Walsh over a social media post in which the star fullback punches a friend in the head while wearing a boxing glove.
Just days after Broncos teammate Marty Tapau liked a social media post critical of coach Michael Maguire – a move that is set to cost the former Kiwi international his job – the embattled club is again in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Reece Walsh is embroiled in a social media drama.
Furious Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy contacted Walsh on Tuesday after the latest social media gaffe went viral. The post shows footage, which has been subsequently deleted – of Walsh punching a man in the head in what has been described as a silly prank.
“They’ve been best friends since they were kids and it was supposed to be a joke – they’re always playing pranks on each other – and while this was immature, no one was hurt,” said Britt Prince, whose PR firm works alongside the management company that manages Walsh’s affairs.
“Reece understands the optics of this, and apologises for any offence or distress caused. It wasn’t his intention at all.”
The players had a day off on Tuesday, but Walsh will face an internal disciplinary action when he arrives at Red Hill on Wednesday. Sources not authorised to speak publicly said a fine would be the likely outcome.
Walsh apologised for the post on Tuesday night.
“Just to add context to the video recently posted – it was a joke with me (sic) best mate,” he wrote on his Instagram story.
“No one was harmed, boys being boys.”
The club, expected to be a genuine premiership contender, is already under pressure after losing five of its past six games to fall out of the top eight.
Walsh, who is poised to launch a YouTube channel to give fans an insight into his life off the field, is currently sidelined with a posterior cruciate ligament injury. The Broncos have the bye next week and he is expected to miss their next game against the Sea Eagles, with an expected round 14 return against the Gold Coast on June 7.
Taupau, meanwhile, is working out a severance that is likely to be finalised with the Broncos in coming days.
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