Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has posted a video to social media suggesting a slurp from a pristine toilet bowl can help in muscle recovery – but the Broncos have urged viewers not to take it seriously because the toilet was brand-new.
The fact Brisbane have released a statement about the post is evidence of the news value of anything the charismatic Walsh does on or off the field.
They are also keen, no doubt, to flush away any lingering controversy ahead of what is a virtual ‘Super Bowl’ encounter with arch-enemies Melbourne on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos must win to stay in fourth place ahead of the finals and get the all-important double chance in the race to the grand final.
Reading between the lines, toilet humour aside, their statement is also a sign that they wish Walsh would stay out of the headlines for reasons other than shining on the field.
‘Brisbane Broncos are aware of a video posted by Reece Walsh on a social media platform,’ the statement read.
Pictured: The moment Broncos star Reece Walsh drank a handful of water out of a toilet bowl in a video he has since deleted from Instagram
Walsh (pictured) joked that drinking toilet water is a ‘new form of recovery’
The Broncos tried to water down the superstar fullback’s post by explaining that the toilet was brand-new and had never been used
‘The club can clarify that Walsh is currently renovating his home and has installed a brand-new toilet in a new bathroom which remains unused.
‘The video represents a poor attempt at humour posted privately by Walsh. No one should take this video seriously or act upon the advice.’
In the video, Walsh provides a demonstration of the healing powers of the slurping technique.
‘They reckon there is a new form of recovery, to recover the muscles,’ he says.
‘They reckon if you just fill with water … and get a little drink.’
The ‘little drink’ was a handful of water from the bowl.
The video was later taken down by the Broncos fullback, but he appeared to make light of the scandal in another Instagram post on Tuesday morning.
Walsh posted a photo of his dog in a Bunnings hardware store with a sign reading ‘Thru to plumbing’ above its head.
The bizarre stunt left league legend Brad Fittler aghast when he saw the clip.
Walsh appeared to make light of the furore over his video by posting this image to Instagram on Tuesday morning, showing his dog in a Bunnings hardware store with a sign reading ‘Thru to plumbing’ prominently featured
The popular X account NRL Physio felt the need to state the obvious after Walsh’s video went viral for all the wrong reasons
‘He’s taking the p***, isn’t he? Seriously,’ Fittler said on 2GB.
His co-host Adam Hawse added: ‘If we’re giving out advice, Broncos, I’ll give you some advice: get Reece off social media.
‘It’s that simple.’
The popular NRL Physio account on X light-heartedly reminded footy fans not to follow in Walsh’s footsteps, writing, ‘PSA – there is no evidence to suggest drinking toilet water will “recover” the muscles.’
It is not the first time this year that the 23-year-old has shocked fans with a video posted on his social media.
Back in May, Walsh published a video clip on TikTok in which he was seen punching another man in the head, while wearing a pair of boxing gloves.
The clip was said to be a joke and the man he was punching in the video was also said to be his best mate, with Walsh seen winding up a big right hook before knocking the man to the ground, who was seen holding his head in his hands.
The Broncos were said to be ‘privately furious’ about the bizarre video, with Walsh subsequently taking to social media to address the video.
‘Just to add context to the video recently posted – it was a joke with me (sic) best mate,’ he wrote.
‘No one was harmed, boys being boys.’
Brisbane will be hoping to pull the chain on the Storm’s recent run of 17 wins from the past 18 games against them.
If Walsh has the runs, which he has lately, then the Broncos will be able to wash their hands of their terrible recent record against the Storm.
If they win they will also put up a ‘no vacancy’ sign on entry to the top four. Coach Michael Maguire will hope Walsh and company are enthusiastically engaged.
