Walsh’ social media ‘like’ a ‘different scenario’ to Taupau sacking, says Broncos coach

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire says superstar Reece Walsh’s liking of a social media post critical of the club for its handling of captain Adam Reynolds’ retirement was “different” to a similar incident that led to the Broncos sacking veteran Martin Taupau.

The Broncos remain in damage control after Reynolds’ backflip on Tuesday regarding him not being giving a farewell home appearance on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium against Melbourne Storm due to doubts over a calf injury.

On Monday, Reynolds had said he was “keen to play”, leading to Broncos players expressing their disappointment that their skipper was denied that opportunity.

However, 24 hours later, the Broncos called a press conference where Reynolds said the incident had been “blown out of proportion” and it was “unfair to blame” Maguire.

“There was a conversation that we had … and we went over it with the medical staff, and those suggestions around my body, and ultimately, at the end of the day, it was my decision to call time,” Reynolds said.

The matter took a further twist on Tuesday night when Walsh liked a social media post that showed a clip from Fox Sports’ NRL 360 program in which panellist Paul Crawley said “it’s embarrassing and it’s sad for Adam”.

The incident was raised at a Broncos press conference on Wednesday morning, with it being compared to last year’s liking by Taupau of an Instagram post that was critical of Maguire’s training methods, which resulted in the-then 35-year-old forward being sacked.

“We went through it … two different scenarios. I understand that there’s a like there, social media, but we’ve had that conversation, and he realises the way social media moves very quickly … so different circumstance, but the same sort of incident as you’re discussing, but different about what it is.”

When asked to explain how the Taupau and Walsh “likes” were different, Maguire refused to elaborate.

“I’m not going to go into that. I’m talking about now. What’s happened in the past … we move forward now, and Reece and I have had that conversation,” the Broncos coach said.

“Everyone’s got emotion around these scenarios, but we’re very transparent.

“Reece … loves ‘Reyno’. We all do. Moving through moments in time, things like that unfortunately happen.”

Maguire denied that he was responsible for 36-year-old Reynolds not having the chance to make a farewell appearance on Thursday night, even a cameo off the bench.

“I’d love to see him play. I’d love to see him roll out there and be in front of our 40,000 fans or 50,000 fans like we all would, but there has come a time where he just said the body’s had its time, and he just couldn’t get to the end point to have that last little fairytale.