Broncos coach Kevin Walters may have pleaded to Reece Walsh to take a “chill pill”, but his Maroons counterpart Billy Slater wants nothing of the sort.
Walsh has established himself as one of the NRL’s most enigmatic players – a fullback blessed with an attacking prowess that leaves onlookers in awe, but that also exposes weaknesses and errors in his game.
While he sits equal-third among try-scorers this year (with nine) – despite missing two games with a facial fracture – and led the competition last season for line-break assists (37) and third for try assists (26), a tendency to overplay his hand and make mistakes had emerged.
It led Walters to issue a plea to his star to relax and allow a contest to unfold before inserting himself with the ball.
Walsh made more errors than any player in 2023 (53) and is equal-fourth in that area this season (20), but has become renowned for the way he refuses to go into his shell.
Mistakes are often the catalyst for State of Origin defeats, as they are capitalised on far more by rugby league’s elite.
But that is the version of the 21-year-old Slater wants to see on display come State of Origin game one on June 5: one tasked with igniting Queensland’s attack against a Blues side desperate to avoid three straight series losses.
“We just want the best Reece Walsh that he can be,” Slater said.
“It’s not just the brilliant stuff that he brings; he’s elevated his game, and he’s got a really good foundation to his footy now.
“There’ll be no pills in our camp.”
Slater was seen at the Maroons’ Tuesday morning training session in Brisbane – a stint that did not feature hooker Harry Grant, who was reportedly feeling unwell – working with Walsh and Ezra Mam away from the group, as the rest of the squad worked through various drills.
The former champion fullback was witnessed discussing potential plays with the young No.1 – with one looking strikingly similar to a move he and his premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk pioneered close to the line.
Walsh’s heated nature on the field came under the spotlight during last year’s series, when he and New South Wales five-eighth Jarome Luai were sin-binned in the dying stages of game two for an altercation.
Shortly after, during Brisbane’s loss to the Gold Coast Titans, he was dealt a three-game suspension for a foul-mouthed tirade on the field that cost him his place in game three.
But Walsh was adamant he had come a long way from the man he was a year ago.
Since his suspension, the Queensland sensation has sought the support of a psychologist to help prepare his mind to handle the rigours of being one of rugby league’s most recognisable figures.
Walsh – who declared he hoped to remain a Bronco for life as he and his management work through a contract extension beyond his 2025 deal – was adamant he had progressed enough to ensure his emotions would not get the better of him.
“It was pretty tough [missing out on game three] – obviously when you get the opportunity to play for Queensland that’s all you want to do – and it sucks to be sitting there watching,” Walsh said.
“It was tough for me … it takes someone one opportunity for you to lose your spot potentially, I’m just very grateful to be back in this position here and pull on the jersey again, so I want to do everything right.
“I think I learned some good lessons at the back end of last year – I feel like I’ve matured a little bit more as a player.”
Sydney Morning Herald
