Canberra Raiders assistant coach Michael Maguire has defended the big hit put on by Joseph Tapine on Reece Walsh in the dying second of last week's game.

The hit, which was loved by fans, saw some NRL critics divided on whether the shot should have carried a penalty for Tapine and seen him charged by the match review committee. It would also create an all-in melee between the Broncos and Raiders to end the game.

Speaking onย SEN 1170 Afternoons, Michael Maguire has delivered his take on the incident whilst praising the Broncos fullback, Reece Walsh.

โ€œHe's one hell of a player Reece Walsh, he's going to learn some lessons as he goes, I guess when you're young you learn your way,โ€ Maguire toldย SEN 1170 Afternoons.

โ€œReece Walsh, when we played them the first time, he pulled up on a play then he took off and nearly scored, I'm sure that would've been in the memory of Joe (Tapine).

โ€œJoe came through and cleaned him up, it was one hell of a hit.โ€

โ€œHe bounced straight up and there was a little push and shove after but I think they got together after that."

โ€œIt's all part of the game.โ€

Brisbane Broncos head coach Kevin Walters also defended Tapine's hit on his star fullback, echoing Maguire's words.

โ€œReece was half mucking around on the field so he got a little bit of medicine there,โ€ Walters said.

โ€œWe've got to get that stuff at the back end of his game, out of his game.โ€