Broncos coach Michael Maguire is pulling the wrong rein by putting Billy Walters in the halves alongside Ben Hunt after crippling injuries to Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam, say rugby league greats Cooper Cronk and Matty Johns.

Reece Walsh, meanwhile, has been touted as a make-or-break player who must stand up after criticism of his inconsistency.

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Reynolds may return before the finals but it seems Mam’s injury could keep him out for the rest of the year.

With those two sidelined, the Broncos are set to turn to Hunt and Walters, the latter of which is somewhat of a surprise call from coach Michael Maguire.

Hunt will fit in seamlessly given halfback is his preferred position.

Meanwhile, Walters is a former five-eighth who switched to hooker a few seasons ago. He’s played 83 first grade games in the No. 6, so this isn’t an unfamiliar role to him.

He’s also in terrific form of late.

However, Fox League experts Cronk and Johns believe that Walters’ form is one reason to not switch him out of hooker.

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“Ben Hunt goes to seven. I wouldn’t move Billy Walters. I think he’s doing OK at nine, he’s a point of difference,” Cronk said on Matty and Cronk.

“I don’t know who is on their list in terms of their depth chart but I feel like if you got Reece Walsh and Ben Hunt, you almost need like a young, exciting number six.

“Even if he hasn’t played, even if he’s inexperienced, I feel like with Ben Hunt getting back to the Nathan Cleary system and playing both sides of the field, let two athletic guys take advantage of what Ben Hunt does.

“I wouldn’t move Kotoni Staggs (to five eighth), I wouldn’t move any of their outside backs. It’s pretty hard to do and I don’t know what their depth chart looks like but they need to find someone who is fast and with footwork (to play five eighth).

“A lot of responsibility will then go on Ben and Pat Carrigan can play as a ball-playing lock.”

Johns agreed with Cronk’s assessment that the Broncos need a gamebreaker at six alongside Hunt.

“I agree with you. I think if they try and play a watered-down version of how they’re trying to play now, it’s not going to work,” Johns said.

“I think they need a young, fast, athletic six. Who it is, I’m not sure what Madge does, but I think that’s the way to go.

“That’ll allow Ben to look after the bread and butter and push them around the park a bit and Reece to open up the field.

So, which players on the Broncos’ roster fit Cronk and Johns’ criteria?

Star winger Jesse Arthars is suddenly out of favour for a position, even with Cobbo out; Josiah Karapani was preferred for this weekend. Arthars certainly ticks the box for running power and spark.

The uncapped Latrell Siegwalt also comes to mind.

The speedy 24-year-old has been playing well of late for Souths Logan in the QLD Cup at fullback with that team on a three-match winning streak.

Siegwalt also has experience in the halves. He’s fleet-footed and quick off the mark and has a dynamic running game.

He wouldn’t look out of place if Maguire gives him a go and while there might be some growing pains, he would certainly provide a spark.

But the player who really needs to lift? Undoubtedly, Walsh in the No.1 jersey.

Cronk said Walsh needed to throw caution to the wind despite criticism of his loose play — but it was time for him to get it right.

“I am really looking forward to seeing how Reece Walsh goes because there’s a narrative that says he needs to tone down his performances when everyone was fit, but now it’s almost like, ‘Reece, this team needs you to get it right so go for it and play like the dominant player you are’,” Cronk said.

“He needs his passes to be on the money nine times out of 10 because if he starts missing the mark and goes AWOL, they’re no chance. He’s the key.”

Many believe after the crippling injuries to Mam and Reynolds last week are causing the Broncos’ premiership hopes to be hanging by a thread. Johns said this Saturday’s derby against the Dolphins would be telling.

“I want to see them this week. Sometimes you just look and there’s injuries in the side and you say, ‘My god that’s the worst thing that can happen’ but suddenly it sparks a change of formula,” Johns said.

“A couple of the players who have been playing within themselves might look at that injury and go, ‘Well unless I elevate my game, we’re gone’.

“It might just light a fire under a few of the players.”