After one of the all-time NRL finals games where the Brisbane Broncos outlasted the Canberra Raiders in a golden point thriller for a season-defining victory, the charges from the MRC have now been handed down.
Reece Walsh has received two separate charges, the first for striking and the second for misconduct - both relating to 53rd minute altercation with Raiders forward Hudson Young.
With both being grade 1 charges Walsh will be free to play with an early guilty plea. If he chooses to challenge the striking charge Walsh will be suspended for 2 matches if found guilty at the judiciary.
It is massive news for the Broncos who cannot afford to lose their star fullback for a critical clash in a fortnight that could book them into this year’s NRL grand final.
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Several NRL personalities have lamented how Walsh wasn’t sent off completely for what was described by some as a "head butt", including Raiders coach Ricky Stuart who declared in his post-match press conference, "you're allowed to head butt".
Other sections of the media, like Buzz Rothfield, have expressed disbelief at the handling of the Walsh incident, with many expecting him to have been suspended and miss at least the Broncos’ preliminary final.
Whilst some will count Walsh and the Broncos as extremely lucky, unfortunately for the club it is not all good news, with Origin forward Patrick Carrigan being charged with a grade 2 careless high tackle.
If Carrigan takes the early guilty plea he will miss the Broncos’ next match, but if he unsuccessfully fights the charge he will be rubbed out for two matches.
The other worry out of the Broncos camp post-game would be the fitness of powerhouse front-rower Payne Haas, who at multiple times during the match appeared hampered by leg injuries.
With Carrigan certain to be missing next match, it would be a monumental blow for the Broncos to also be without Payne Haas in a preliminary final.
Whilst Walsh is the spark that gets the Broncos attack firing, Haas and Carrigan are the engine room that gives the superstar fullback the space and opportunity he needs.
In a further blow to the Broncos forward stocks as well, it has also been reported that backrower Brendan Piakura suffered a suspected cheekbone fracture which prevented him from returning in the second half on Sunday.
Losing Carrigan is already a devastating blow for the Broncos’ grand final chances with Piakura adding salt to the wounds, but if they happen to lose Haas as well, the results could be terminal.