Corey Parker has called for Billy Walters to come straight into the side for this week’s clash against the Penrith Panthers after the dummy-half admitted he wasn’t sure to whether he was playing. The Brisbane Broncos are desperate for a win this Thursday agains the Panthers after eight losses in a row have them sitting in 14th.
The defending premiers need to win close to all eight of their remaining games if they are going to play finals footy in 2026. Unfortunately, for coach Michael Maguire he has dealt with a growing injury toll this season with the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan all missing plenty of footy.
Corey Parker feels Michael Maguire (pictured left) needs to select returning dummy-half Billy Walters for the Broncos’ clash against the Penrith Panthers. (Images: Getty Images)
And one player who hasn’t featured this season is Walters. The Broncos No.9 injured his ACL last year ahead of the NRL finals and has just featured in three QLD Cup games as he looks to make his return.
The Broncos have missed his guile out around the ruck and Walters has deemed he is ready to make his NRL return. Although he told Parker on Tuesday he wasn’t sure if he was in line for selection for the Panthers game.
Parker couldn’t believe this and felt the Broncos were desperate and needed to throw everything at the Panthers juggernaut to get their season back on track. Walters said he is close to match fitness having played three games for South Logan, but was keen to feature for the Broncos.
“I am not sure, we are pretty lucky at this point, unlucky for me, all of our spine are fighting fit,” he said on SEN Radio with the likes of Reynolds, Ben Hunt and Cory Paix set to all play this week. “There are a lot of good players we have to try and fit in only a few amount of positions.
“I feel like I have done everything I can for Madge, to let him know I am ready to go if he wants to use me. Hoping I will at least be in the 19.” Parker felt Walters needed to be parachuted straight into the side for the must-win game.
“For what it’s worth, eight losses in a row…you’ve had two games back in the QLD Cup. You’ve got some confidence, I would put you straight back into the team,” Parker said on SEN Radio. Parker later admitted it was ‘astounding’ Walters didn’t know if he was in or not.
Billy Walters (pictured) is keen to make his comeback against the Penrith Panthers.(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Billy Walters admits Broncos season on the line
Walters admitted the players are treating this game like a final having suggested all the stars are back from State of Origin duties and are ready to go. A loss could see the Broncos miss out on finals footy.
“There are no more distractions. It is now or never. The best team in the competition and if you can’t get up for that then you may as well put a line through us. This is it, our season is on the line. We have got to win this week, if we don’t it’s looking pretty dire,” Walters added.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Head Coach Michael Maguire of the Broncos speaks at a post match press conference after the round 14 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium, on June 06, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)