Reece Walsh has revealed he won’t be going anywhere, putting to bed speculation he’s had second thoughts about re-signing with the Broncos. Speaking to the media in Queensland State of Origin camp on Tuesday, the 21-year-old fullback said he wants to play out his career in Brisbane.
The Broncos are in talks with Walsh’s management about a lengthy extension, which will reportedly tie him to the club until 2030. But the deal is yet to be finalised and Walsh made the bizarre move of refuting media reports he’d agreed to stay at the Broncos on a $5.5 million deal when they emerged in March.
“Don’t believe everything you read. No deal has been signed,” he wrote on social media at the time.
Walsh knew he would be peppered with questions about his future in his first all-in media conference since he was in LA ahead of the opening one, but moved to end all speculation about his future on Tuesday. “Absolutely. One hundred per cent,” he said when asked if he would be a Bronco for life.
“The Broncos are a massive part of me being here (in Origin) and I love the club. I want to be here for a long time and all that (contract) stuff will get sorted. I love the club and I love the people involved at the club and what they stand for. They have amazing values … and we’ve got some decent (players) too and that plays a factor.”
Walsh started his career in the Broncos system but signed with the New Zealand Warriors in 2021. He returned to the Broncos in 2023 and coach Kevin Walters has vowed never to let him leave the club again.
Reece Walsh thrilled to be back working with Billy Slater
Walsh was recalled to the Queensland team this week after missing Game III of last year’s series due to suspension. The Maroons won the first two games of the series (which Walsh played in), before losing the dead-rubber third in his absence.
The gun fullback shares a tight bond with legendary Maroons coach Billy Slater and the pair were doing extra work after training on Tuesday. “His detail around everything is pretty crazy, so it’s awesome just to get things about your body position, the way your shoulder should be, the way your hips should be,” Walsh said.
“It’s pretty crazy and awesome to get those sorts of things that you don’t think about. He is the best at what he does, so for me it’s awesome to be around the best fullback to ever play our game. To get the opportunity to be coached and mentored by him and getting drills at training is a lifetime opportunity, so I’m soaking it up and enjoying the moments together.”
Walsh said he’s just as excited to be back in camp as the first time he was picked in 2021, when he missed out on playing due to an injury suffered in camp. Slater picked him last year ahead of Game I of the series and Walsh had flashbacks when the phone rang over the weekend.
“Getting the call from Billy was pretty special,” he said. “It felt like the first time he called me. It was a special moment but I’m just really grateful to be back in the team with a bunch of awesome people and awesome players. It’s exciting.”
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Slater is just as thrilled to have Walsh in camp, saying: “I have really enjoyed working with Reece over the last couple of years. It has been a long journey and I have loved seeing the rise. Not just with the brilliant stuff he brings but he has elevated his game and has a really good foundation to his footy now. I am looking forward to getting to work.”
Meanwhile, Queensland bench hooker Harry Grant missed Tuesday’s training session with illness, with Ben Hunt acting as the only No.9. However Grant is in no doubt for the Origin series opener on June 5 in Sydney.
with AAP