Apparently Reece Walsh has a get-out clause that allows him to break his contract for "welfare" reasons at the end of 2023, and the rumour being spread today is that he might try to trigger it sooner when the Warriors move back to Vodaphone. As in maybe even this year. Which cascades into the accompanying rumour that the Broncos are interested in taking him back. But the Dolphins are more likely to win a bidding war. And the Titans might also enter the conversation.
Warriors football chief Craig Hodges:
“The challenge for us will be keeping Reece. He hasn’t lived in New Zealand, so that will be a big move for him, but what I do know is that he is extremely happy at the Warriors and he feels like his game is developing here. We plan to keep him. I understand home is here in Queensland for him, so whether the Broncos or Dolphins are a chance to get him in two or three years’ time, I can’t worry too much about that. But any suggestion he is unhappy here is not true."
“I’m confident Reece will stay. For some at guys at our club who haven’t lived in New Zealand, there is a bit of unknown about going back there, but I don’t believe it will be an issue for Reece. He has Kiwi heritage so it’s not the big deal people are making out."
“We will finally get to play in front of our fans and supporters and Reece will enjoy it. There has been some disconnection, but moving back home will bring everything back together. Young people these days are bulletproof. They handle change so much easier than older people who are stuck in their ways. In reality, Auckland is no further away than Townsville, so Reece can jump on a plane and be back in Brisbane in a few hours to see his family.”
Pat Carrigan:
“Reecey and I used to live together. He is my little mate. He is a classy little player. You always knew he was going to be a freak in the game. I’m excited to play him this week. It will feel like an old training run at Red Hill, but he is a massive part of what they are building at the Warriors. He might ask for overs to come back, he is a classy talent and when he comes off-contract, I’m sure there will be 16 NRL clubs chasing him."
“I’m excited for what he is building for his young family at the Warriors, but I would love to play with Reece again one day. It was tough to see him leave, I knew how much he cared for the club, but in terms of the growth he has had as a footy player and learning off Roger, you can’t knock someone too much for taking those opportunities."
“I stayed at the Broncos because guys like Sammy Thaiday and Cozza Parker were here to learn from and it was a drawcard for him to learn off Roger and play first grade. I’m glad I get to play him this week and hopefully we get to link up again one day.”
Last year Walsh said:
“I feel pretty comfortable, I am not too fazed about where I live. The boys at the Warriors have been great support and the club has been excellent. The transition won’t be too hard at all. I was a bit scared at first to move. Being away from family was a bit daunting, but I know they will always be there and if I need anything they will be right there."
“But that’s a part of growing up, you have to take the best opportunity for you and I feel that’s what I’ve done. As a kid I really wanted to put that Broncos jersey on. I remember when I was seven years old, I would run around with a Broncos jersey on wishing I could play for the Broncos. That’s something I always wanted to do and I thought I would do that, but an opportunity came up for me to go somewhere else and play NRL now against the best."
“It’s nothing against the Broncos for me. They have played a major part in who I am as a player and person, so there’s no bad feelings. The opportunity to play first grade was the big thing. I had a talk with Browny and he laid it out, he said he wants me as his fullback. He said Roger is leaving and they won’t go out and look for anyone else if I commit to the club, so I took the chance.”
McHunt
