The Brisbane Broncos face the challenge of continuing their season without star fullback Reece Walsh, who has been sidelined due to a serious hip-drop tackle by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad during Saturday's game.
This unfortunate incident means that Walsh, the reigning Clive Churchill Medallist, is now racing against time to recover in hopes of participating in Australia's World Cup campaign this October.
In the interim, the Courier-Mail reports that Hayze Perham is set to take over the fullback role for the last three matches of the season.
Perham has made a positive impact during his four outings with the Broncos in 2026, prompting the club to exercise his 2027 contract extension as a dependable back-up while Walsh is unavailable.
The 27-year-old fullback showcased his skills during the Broncos' convincing 32-12 victory over the Bulldogs in Round 8, taking the stage while Walsh was recovering from a fractured cheekbone.
With experience from 39 NRL appearances, including time spent with the Warriors, Eels, and Bulldogs, Perham is now on a two-year contract with the Broncos, which features an option favoring the club for a second year.
Michael Maguire has seen enough potential in Perham to move forward with the extension, allowing him to develop into a reliable first-grade player.
Perham previously dealt with an ACL injury during the 2025 preseason in a trial against the Gold Coast Titans, which raised concerns about his future with the club due to the terms of his contract.
Earlier this year, Perham conveyed his appreciation for the Broncos and expressed his enjoyment playing alongside some of the sport's finest athletes.