‘Can be found out’: Legend reveals Cleary plot to shut down Reece Walsh, bold Broncos call

 

As the countdown to the blockbuster showdown between the Penrith Panthers and the Brisbane Broncos heats up, one rugby league legend has sounded the alarm: Reece Walsh can be stopped — and Ivan Cleary already knows how to do it.

Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated clash, the former great suggested that Walsh, despite his brilliance, still has weaknesses that can be exposed under the right game plan.

“Walsh has been electric all season, but he’s not untouchable,” the legend revealed. “Ivan Cleary is a master tactician, and if anyone can come up with the blueprint to slow him down, it’s him. Walsh thrives on space and confidence — if you cut that down, suddenly the Broncos look a very different team.”

The Panthers’ coach is expected to direct his defensive line to apply relentless pressure on Walsh, forcing him into rushed decisions and reducing his time to unleash his trademark attacking spark. Targeting his kick-return game and closing down his support runs could prove vital.

However, the legend also issued a warning: “You can’t completely shut down Reece Walsh, but you can frustrate him, and that frustration can spill into errors. That’s where Penrith will try to take control.”

Meanwhile, the Broncos are reportedly preparing a bold tactical adjustment of their own, with speculation that coach Kevin Walters could reshuffle his backline to create mismatches and ensure Walsh gets the ball in dangerous positions.

“It’s a risk, but it shows the Broncos are willing to back their star,” the source added. “If they give Walsh the freedom he needs, he could turn the game on its head — but if Penrith succeed in boxing him in, it might be the difference between victory and heartbreak.”

With two of the NRL’s powerhouses set to collide, all eyes will be on how Cleary’s Panthers approach the Walsh problem — and whether the Broncos’ gamble pays off. One thing is certain: this tactical battle could define the season’s biggest game.