Broncos star Reece Walsh consoled his rookie fullback opposite Chevy Stewart after the Raiders teenager endured a bombing barrage and was targeted by some brutal defence on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Stewart, who was making just his second NRL appearance after debuting in Canberra’s Round 6 defeat of the Titans, made five handling errors and was driven into his own in-goal from a kick return.
He was also the victim of one of the biggest hits of the season by Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, but the 18-year-old didn’t stop trying and Walsh reassured him he would have a long future in the game.
“It was tough conditions, he is a good young fullback and I just said to him ‘it’s a rollercoaster out there’,” Walsh told Fox Sports after Brisbane’s 34-10 win. “He has got a big heart so it’s good to see a young fella doing well.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart revealed that Stewart had been “rattled” at halftime after spilling a spiralling bomb from Broncos five-eighth Jock Madden, losing the ball in a tackle by Ezra Mam after catching a kick and being outjumped by Fletcher Baker.
He was also caught out of position when Brisbane hooker Billy Walters grubbered into the in-goal and dived on the ball to score, while Hetherington lined him up with a bone-jarring tackle.
“It was tough conditions, he is a good young fullback and I just said to him ‘it’s a rollercoaster out there’,” Walsh told Fox Sports after Brisbane’s 34-10 win. “He has got a big heart so it’s good to see a young fella doing well.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart revealed that Stewart had been “rattled” at halftime after spilling a spiralling bomb from Broncos five-eighth Jock Madden, losing the ball in a tackle by Ezra Mam after catching a kick and being outjumped by Fletcher Baker.
He was also caught out of position when Brisbane hooker Billy Walters grubbered into the in-goal and dived on the ball to score, while Hetherington lined him up with a bone-jarring tackle.