Brisbane Broncos great Corey Parker has revealed a worrying stat of Reece Walsh’s compared to Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards as the NRL reigning champions started their season with a horror defeat. The Broncos suffered their second straight defeat in 2026 after failing to score in the 26-0 defeat to the Panthers.

This followed their defeat in the Club World Challenge loss to Hull KR ahead of the season. And Walsh’s lacklustre performance came under scrutiny. Walsh finished the 2025 NRL season as the best player in the competition after producing career-best footy to help the Broncos overcome the Raiders, Panthers and Melbourne Storm in the NRL finals.

Corey Parker was concerned with Reece Walsh’s (pictured left) efforts after 40 minutes after just two runs, compared to Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards as the side went down 26-0. (Images: AAP)

There was little the Broncos could do against the Panthers as they made 19 errors and gave away eight penalties in a woeful effort from Michael Maguire’s side. But it wasn’t the overall performance that worried Parker on Friday night.

Parker claimed Walsh’s lack of touches throughout the first 40 minutes was arguably the biggest issue for the side. The Broncos legend claimed the No.1 only had two runs heading into the second-half as the Panthers ran away with the game.

Walsh struggled to get involved, which is a far cry from last year’s displays. While consistency has been one of Walsh’s biggest issues throughout his career, Parker felt the team needs to address the fullback’s lack of touches heading into round two. But he also called out the spine and suggested they can’t leave all the creativity to the fullback.

“For me, if you just compare the two fullbacks…two completely different players, however, Reece Walsh in the first-half had only two runs,” Parker said on Monday morning. “I am not saying Reece has to roll the sleeves up and run more, but what he was doing in those big games…he was taking one off the ruck. He was injecting himself in the game.

“So if Reece isn’t running the ball, someone else has to ask the questions. If Reece is the only one asking questions, and that is down, then he needs someone else to pick up the can. Adam Reynolds, he only had two runs. Cory Paix did not run the ball. Adam Reynolds had two runs, Ben Hunt had two runs, Reece had seven in total. There is no questions being asked…”

Maguire made the late change of brining Hunt into the XIII to replace Ezra Mam at five-eighth. The move didn’t go to plan as the Broncos lacked creativity as Parker pointed out.

Reece Walsh (pictured) was limited to just seven runs against the Panthers as his team failed to score any points.

(Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)

Corey Parker calls out Broncos try line defence

Another issue Parker had with the Broncos was their defence at the goal line. The Broncos conceded four tries to Hull KR during the Club World Challenge from kicks. And they don’t appear to have fixed this issue against the Panthers after conceding another couple.

And Parker feels it could be a lack of effort as they scramble across the line that is creating this issue. The Broncos defence was also compounded with 37 missed tackles across the 80 minutes. “Brisbane last year were the second worst in the competition at conceding tries off kicks,” he said on SEN Radio. “(This year against) Hull KR, how many tries did they concede off kicks? Four.

“Against the Panthers, how many tries conceded off kicks? Well, two directly and one indirectly. It’s just one of those mindset things you have to continue to compete until the ball is back in your hand…You’re working too hard defensively to then (have) the ball goes up in the air (and concede).”

The Broncos have the opportunity to get their campaign back on track as they face the Parramatta Eels. Jason Ryles’ men were hammered 52-4 with the Melbourne Storm turning it on in the first round. The Panthers will take on the Sharks in round two.