Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh has come under heavy fire from NRL fans after a horror outing on Saturday night.

Walsh produced one of his worst individual performance as the Broncos fell 32-22 to the Raiders at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Two late tries through Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars helped make the scoreboard respectable for the Broncos in what was a one-sided contest.

As the praise came in thick and fast for the Raiders, the backlash came in just as heavy for the Broncos fullback.

Walsh finished the contest with a stat line hardly befitting a player on a contract worth over a reported $1m per season.

When the match came to an end, Walsh had missed four tackles and had four errors while running for just 96 metres.

While Walsh remains one of the most marketable players in the game thanks in large part to his huge social media following, the internet turned on him on Saturday night.

The Mole wrote on X: “Not Reece Walsh’s best night.”

Another wrote: “One of the worst Reece Walsh performances I’ve seen. So ordinary.”

A third added: “Some call 000. This bloke needs to be arrested for fraud. Absolutely disgusting effort for a bloke on over a million a season. Reece Walsh has hoodwinked the Broncos.”

A fourth wrote: “Reece Walsh has to be the most overrated player in the nrl, he’s so useless.”

Another irate fan wrote: “Let’s not beat around the bush. Reece Walsh was pathetic in the first half. Defensively he is always out of position or not putting his body on the line ffs. Selwyn Cobbo was barely any better. Just junk footy from blokes too talented to produce this sh*t.”

The Raiders had Walsh seeing ghosts. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Walsh wasn’t alone in being below his best, but as one of the biggest names in the game the spotlight overhead is brighter than most.

Off the back of their 50-14 victory over the Sydney Roosters in Round 1, the Broncos were well and truly brought back down to Earth against the Raiders.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has long suggested his side have not received the respect they deserve but that surely has to change now.

In a week of upsets where round one standouts Penrith, Brisbane and Manly have all been beaten, the Raiders staked an early claim as a genuine top four contender.

The Raiders led from start to finish, scoring six tries to four to win 32-22 in front of a raucous Canberra crowd.

Corey Horsburgh has openly declared he and Stuart were not on speaking terms by the end of a horrible 2024, but the man known as Big Red continued his career renaissance with a powerhouse display in attack and defence, reminding everyone of the form that saw him play State of Origin for Queensland in 2023.

He gives the Raiders three world class front row options alongside suspended skipper Joseph Tapine and veteran Josh Papalii.

Horsburgh said his early season form was all down to his work in the off season.

“It started with my off season, I was a bit fat last year so I got off the piss in the off season and got on diet and just wanted to start the year how I know I can play. I’m a good footy player and I just wanted to prove it this year.”

The front rower said his form turn around was as much to do with personal drive as it was to do with Stuart.

“It wasn’t too much with Stick. It was more myself, I just had to get myself right. Me and Sticky had a good chat towards the back end of the year when my future was in the air there and we came to an agreement. I’m happy, I love Canberra, I love the boys.”

For the second round in a row, Starling was outstanding out of dummy half, threatening in every set and all but demanding Stuart consider extending his deal beyond this season. The Raiders have big hopes for rookie Owen Pattie, who came off the bench tonight, and have reportedly signed Knights rake Jayden Brailey, but if he is to move on, Starling will not go quietly.

Brisbane dominated in the middle of the field and despite the efforts of wingers Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars, who scored a hat trick, they were no match for the home side.