Brisbane Broncos stars Walsh, Carrigan face MRC bans after qualifying final

The Brisbane Broncos secured a thrilling 29-28 golden point victory over the Canberra Raiders in an extraordinary qualifying final, with key players Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan both sin-binned during the match. Walsh was sent off for a headbutt on Hudson Young but returned to the field to score a try, assist others, and kick a crucial penalty goal, playing a pivotal role in the comeback. While Walsh faces a Grade 1 charge that may only result in a fine, Carrigan is awaiting a decision over a dangerous tackle that caused a head injury to Raiders player Morgan Smithies. Despite the controversies, Walsh is expected to be cleared to play in the preliminary final, according to former Broncos coach Kevin Walters and other commentators. The Broncos will hope both stars are available for their upcoming match against either Canterbury or Penrith, as the team also coped with injuries to other key players like Brendan Piakura and Payne Haas. The match and subsequent disciplinary decisions have sparked debate about the rules around physical play, with some viewing Walsh's headbutt as setting a concerning precedent.