Billy Walters has walked the halls of the Clive Berghofer Centre almost every day for four years, but this Wednesday morning felt different.
As he walks past the Broncos’ 2025 premiership photo that lines the walls, he offers a quiet reflection that captures his determination to return from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
“I’d like to get back to here, but wearing a jersey this time… not a polo shirt,” he said.
It’s been five months since Walters suffered an ACL injury in the qualifying final against the Raiders and his performance on that Sunday afternoon victory at GIO Stadium will long be remembered by Broncos fans.
Walters played with the injury for 15 minutes including 10 minutes of extra time, unaware of the full extent of the damage.
I knew I had hurt it, but I didn’t know the extent, especially with the adrenaline of the game.
Billy Walters Broncos Hooker
“I was lucky enough I could run on it, and I was lucky that Canberra didn’t really exploit me in defence.
“After I cooled down a bit I was a bit nervous, but I still wasn’t thinking it was my ACL.
“It was pretty heartbreaking but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
More than 130 days after surgery, Walters’ Wednesday morning marked a major milestone – his first run since that afternoon in Canberra.
“Today’s a big day, but it’s a good day,” he said about the milestone he knows all too well.
“Rehab is always slow with ACL injuries, and it’s a little bit slower this time round, being the second time I’ve done it,” he said.
Having gone through his regular pre-training routine, Walters stepped onto the Red Hill field greeted by Brisbane’s humidity, and an even warmer welcome from his teammates who formed a tunnel to celebrate his return.
The squad has been staying around me and keeping positive.
Billy Walters Broncos Hooker
“It’s a pretty long process, but I’ve got Braithen Scott with me, so we just bounce off each other and keep each other positive.”
With each stride along the sideline, confidence began to replace uncertainty.
“It feels a bit weird, you’ve got to learn to run again,” he admits.
“I have seen some clips of me running and I can tell that it’s my first run back, but pain wise it’s pretty good.
It’s even better to just be out in the sun… I didn’t do a whole lot, but I was just so excited to be running again.
Billy Walters Broncos Hooker
As the season enters its second round, Walters knows watching from the sidelines won’t be easy.
“Rehab has gone pretty quick to be honest, but it was a little bit hard watching the boys.
“I’ve just got to do what I’ve got to do to try and get on back on the field and I can’t wait.”
