The Brisbane Broncos have been dealt a massive blow to their 2025 NRL finals campaign, with hooker Billy Walters ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a devastating ACL injury.
Walters, 30, sustained the injury during the Broncos’ gritty win over the Canberra Raiders last weekend. Scans confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament, meaning the dynamic No. 9 will not return until well into the 2026 season.
“This is heartbreaking,” said head coach Kevin Walters — who is also Billy’s father. “Billy’s been outstanding for us all year. He’s tough, he’s smart, and he gives his all every week. We’ll rally around him.”
Walters has played a key role in the Broncos’ late-season surge, helping steady the ruck and delivering quick ball to halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam. His absence leaves a huge hole in the spine as Brisbane heads into a likely preliminary final without two of their most reliable players.
To make matters worse, star forward Patrick Carrigan has also been suspended for a high tackle and will miss the next game — further testing Brisbane’s depth.
Broncos fans have taken to social media in support of Walters, with many expressing concern over how the team will handle such a crucial loss during the finals.
> “Billy has been the heart of our middle this year. This is a huge loss, but we still believe,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Broncos are now expected to turn to Tyson Smoothy or possibly shift Cory Paix into the starting role, though coach Walters has not confirmed a replacement yet.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, but if there’s one thing this Broncos side has shown in 2025, it’s resilience.
