Brad Fittler has called on the NRL to do a better job of protecting players in the wake of Reece Walsh's stoush with Canberra fans last weekend.

The 23-year-old Broncos superstar was sin binned for a headbutt on Hudson Young during his side's dramatic golden point win in the qualifying final.

But it was as Walsh was leaving the field and heading up the tunnel that things turned a little bit ugly, with the fullback flipping the bird towards the crowd.

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Walsh was charged with contrary conduct by the match review committee and escaped with a fine - but according to league great Fittler, there needs to be changes made to stop similar types of situations occurring in the future.

"They've got to protect players better,"

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