Billy Walters has been ruled out for nine months after scans confirmed a full knee reconstruction is required, ending his season on the eve of the NRL finals.
The Broncos utility suffered the injury during the golden-point victory over the Raiders, with the team initially hoping the damage would not be as serious or result in a long-term stint on the sideline.
Unfortunately for Walters, scans have revealed a full ACL rupture and he is now scheduled to undergo a full knee reconstruction which is expected to sideline him for the next nine months.
The setback means Walters will not only miss the remainder of the finals campaign but also most of the 2026 season.
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It is a crushing blow for Brisbane given Walters’ importance in the spine, injury cover and the consistency he has brought to the side this year.
Walters has become a key figure for the Broncos during their finals charge with halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds sidelined through injury, guiding the team to crucial victories over the past month.
Even with Reynolds and Mam returning for the finals, the utility value Walters offers has been instrumental to the Broncos’ success this season being equally adept at playing either halves position or at hooker.
The 30-year-old previously suffered an ACL injury earlier in his career, making this second reconstruction an even more devastating setback.
Coach Michael Maguire will now be forced to rely on the club’s depth, with Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy the most likely to share the hooking duties.
The loss of Walters adds to the Broncos’ growing list of concerns, with Patrick Carrigan suspended and Payne Haas battling injury issues.
For the Broncos, the timing could hardly be worse as they face the challenge of progressing through a preliminary final with several key players either missing from their best 17 or carrying injury concerns.