Jesse Arthars Takes No.1 Jersey for Broncos in Derby Against Cowboys
Jesse Arthars will wear the No.1 jersey for Brisbane in Friday night’s blockbuster against North Queensland, as the Broncos brace for a derby without Reece Walsh and with captain Adam Reynolds racing the clock.
Walsh (fractured cheekbone), Ben Hunt (MCL) and Reynolds (adductor) all failed to finish last weekend’s bruising win over the Gold Coast Titans. Two of them are gone for weeks. One is trying to limp through.
Walsh and Hunt are already ruled out. Reynolds has been named, but the captain sits squarely under an injury cloud after tweaking his groin. On Tuesday he ran with a trainer before the main session, then shut it down to see how the injury responds across the week.
Behind him, the safety net is ready. Tom Duffy, 22, a former Cowboy who played six games for North Queensland last year, has been named and stands by to steer Brisbane from halfback if Reynolds can’t go.
Arthars steps into Walsh’s spotlight
Into Walsh’s vacant fullback role steps Arthars, who quietly turned last weekend’s crisis into a calm, professional cameo.
When Walsh went down just before half-time with a facial fracture, Arthars shifted from the wing to the back and did exactly what the Broncos needed: no fuss, no drama, just control and strong carries. He’ll do the same again on Friday – on his own terms.
Walsh is one of the game’s brightest attacking lights, but Arthars has no interest in mimicking the highlight reel.
"I don't feel the pressure. Obviously, we are two different players and I just want to bring my strengths," he said.
His teammates talk up his organisation and his running game from the back. Those are the pillars Arthars wants to lean on.
"They are the areas I really want to focus on if I am going to be playing fullback. I like to bring a lot of energy and talk a lot around the club," he said.
"If I am playing fullback that is something I need to be able to do and something I am comfortable with."
This isn’t just another selection for him, either. Arthars is set to bring up his 100th NRL appearance, a milestone wrapped inside one of the fiercest rivalries in the competition.
He’ll likely do it alongside Duffy, his halves partner in Queensland Cup at Souths Logan.
"I have been playing Cup with Duff. If he does get a shot it is going to be awesome for him," Arthars said.
"He is just a very good organiser, very vocal and good at steering the team around. If Reyno is not healthy then that is something Duffy can easily fill in and do."
Super sub Hunt’s absence opens the door for Blake Mozer, who is yet to play NRL this year, while winger Josiah Karapani returns after being dropped last week for disciplinary reasons. It’s a Broncos side patched up, but far from passive, heading into a clash that rarely needs extra spice.
Bulldogs turn back to Xerri, Radley returns for Roosters
Across the league, selection calls carry their own edge.
At Canterbury, Bronson Xerri has been recalled to the starting side for a crucial clash with Penrith at Accor Stadium on Thursday night. The 25-year-old strike centre was a surprise omission after the round 1 win over St George Illawarra in Las Vegas, replaced by Enari Tuala.
The debate around his role only intensified in round 5. When Stephen Crichton went down injured against South Sydney, Xerri was sitting on the bench, yet coach Cameron Ciraldo pushed Matt Burton to centre again and turned to Sean O'Sullivan in the halves, praising his communication.
Now Xerri finally gets another crack, against a Panthers outfit humming at the top of their game, as the Bulldogs try to jolt their spluttering season into life.
At the Roosters, Victor Radley is back. The two-time premiership winner returns for his first NRL game of the year after serving a club-imposed 10-match suspension for allegedly attempting to purchase a dangerous drug with the assistance of former Roosters hooker Brandon Smith.
The ban included three Tests for England, two pre-season games and last round’s bye. His comeback sees him slot straight in at lock for Saturday night’s trip to Cronulla, where the Roosters’ bench also regains punch with Spencer Leniu (hamstring) and Nat Butcher (concussion) cleared to return.
Cronulla have their own reshuffle, with Mawene Hiroti stepping in for injured centre Jesse Ramien.
Dragons, Storm, Warriors, Eels and Tigers shuffle the deck
St George Illawarra have named Kyle Flanagan at halfback for Friday night’s home clash with Manly in Wollongong, just a fortnight after he was concussed and taken to hospital. Daniel Atkinson moves from halfback to his preferred five-eighth role, while Tyrell Sloan shifts from wing to fullback to cover the injured Clint Gutherson.
Melbourne regain key outside backs for their Saturday night meeting with the Warriors at AAMI Park. Centre Jack Howarth (hip) and winger Moses Leo (concussion) both return, while the Warriors adjust by moving Chanel Harris-Tavita to five-eighth following Luke Metcalf’s hamstring injury.
At Parramatta, the injury toll keeps climbing. Bailey Simonsson (ankle), Sean Russell (concussion) and Jonah Pezet (hamstring) are all out of Sunday’s home clash with the Gold Coast. The Eels will blood Araz Nanva on the wing, hand five-eighth Ronald Volkman his first NRL appearance in more than a year, and welcome back centre Will Penisini from a groin issue.
Wests Tigers lose suspended winger Luke Laulilii but plug the gap with powerhouse Jeral Skelton for Sunday night’s top-four showdown with Newcastle at Campbelltown.
Across the round, it’s the same theme: patched-up rosters, fresh chances, reputations on the line.
For Brisbane, it all narrows to one question under the Suncorp lights: can Arthars and a patched-up spine keep the derby flame burning, or will the Cowboys exploit every crack?
