Reece Walsh avoids a ban; Pat Carrigan's suspension risks his availability for the final.
Reece Walsh will not face a ban for his recent headbutt incident, but Brisbane captain Pat Carrigan may face a significant setback. Carrigan is at risk of missing the preliminary final unless he successfully overturns a suspension due to a high tackle.
Walsh, the Broncos fullback, received a sin-bin punishment for headbutting Hudson Young during the second half of Sunday's game and is now facing a $3000 fine for a grade-one striking charge. Additionally, he incurred an $1800 fine for inappropriate gestures directed at Raiders fans while heading to the sin bin at GIO Stadium.
If Walsh had been charged with a grade-two striking violation, similar to the headbutt incident with Jarome Luai during the 2023 State of Origin, he would have been sidelined for the entire season. However, the NRL opted for a lesser penalty this time, paralleling the grade-one striking charge given to Morgan Smithies earlier this year for a similar offense.