Broncos young gun Reece Walsh has been handed a three-match ban from the NRL judiciary for contrary conduct against a match official, ruling him out of State of Origin game three alongside club games.

Walsh, 20, has found himself in hot water in recent weeks after a period of ill-discipline.

After a mammoth four-hour hearing on Tuesday, a verbal outburst from Walsh during Brisbane's loss to Gold Coast at the weekend was determined by the league's panel to have directed at referee Chris Butler.

Walsh was heard saying "what the f*** do you mean c***?" after a penalty was awarded against the Broncos.

The Queensland fullback argued his words were directed toward teammate Patrick Carrigan, who was within arms length of the referee at the time of the incident.

An additional 10 minute penalty was given immediately afterward before Walsh ran to Butler and said "I was talking to Patty (Carrigan)".

Both Carrigan and Titans forward David Fifita were brought in to give evidence in the hearing as the panel decided on the intended target.

Following the match, Walsh took to social media to give his account of the incident.

"Yesterday whilst I was on the field I swore at another player," he wrote.

"Whilst I don't promote this language to be directed at anybody, I would never direct this time of language towards a referee.

"I understand how it might look and I've reached out to Chris Butler to apologise if he thought I was speaking to him."

Walsh said he was not proud of what he said, and said referees "do a great job and play a huge role in making rugby league the best game in the world".

During the hearing Butler conceded he did not hear what was said at the time, but instead has reacted to Walsh's body language.

In a slip of the tongue, Fifita accidentally said Walsh's comments were made towards Butler before correcting himself to explain he had meant to say Carrigan.

"Walshy then said what he said to the ref, I mean Patty, the ref was behind him," Fifita said, according to reports.

"I get really nervous when I speak to you. That's not the case. That was wrong. I get intimated by speaking to you. You make me feel like I've done something wrong."

Carrigan was also questioned on his version of events in defending Walsh after stating they "had an argument that was misunderstood by the referee".

In a split decision, Walsh was handed the three-match ban with judiciary chair Justice Geoff Bellew giving the deciding vote.

The NRL had asked for a four-match ban.

Speaking after the decision, Walsh said he accepted the ban.

"Obviously I know I'm a role model to young kids in the community and I'm going to continue to work hard and I'll be better in those areas that I need to get better in," he said.

Walsh will miss club games and the chance to play for Queensland in game three of the State of Origin series in Sydney on July 12.