Reece Walsh says he wants to be one of the NRL’s leading defensive fullbacks, as the game’s most marketable figure cast his eyes on reclaiming his Queensland Maroons jumper.
After masterminding Brisbane’s 2025 premiership triumph, the Broncos superstar is determined to ensure he is known for more than the attacking brilliance that led to his maiden international selection for the Kangaroos.
Injuries and early season form inconsistencies ultimately cost him his State of Origin jersey to Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow last year, but the 23-year-old whiz has vowed to force coach Billy Slater’s hand.
Even if it came under the NRL’s new six-man bench rules, with the marquee fullback offering a grin and hinting he could be the perfect X-factor to benefit from the extended interchange.
“I’ve got my mindset pretty narrow, but playing for Queensland is always something I want to do,” Walsh said, while confirming he remained eager to represent Australia, despite Origin eligibility changes opening the door for players with New Zealand heritage – as he has – to be selected.
“To be able to put my hand up in a good position, I’ll always want to do that, but I think it starts with my consistent footy and that’s what I’m chasing. But it’s pretty cool we’ve got that extra man on the bench this year.
“I know how Billy’s brain works, so I’ll plant a little seed there and see how we go.”
For all his attacking wizardry, it was off the ball Walsh came up with the biggest play of his career – an all-or-nothing tackle on Melbourne counterpart Ryan Papenhuyzen in the last minute of the grand final to seal a famous victory and the Clive Churchill Medal.
“I was just playing footy and doing my job, I don’t think I set a goal out to do anything crazy,” Walsh reflected.
But he insists he is far from satisfied.
Finishing last season with a tackle efficiency of 75.56 per cent – down from his 90 per cent in what was an injury-riddled 2024 – he is adamant he is far from the finished product, as he sought to improve his initial tackle contact, positioning at the back and urgency to get to an oncoming attacker.
“Those things that don’t come natural to me, I’m trying to work on and iron those out. I’m a work in progress, I’m not going to get everything right … that’s something that’s not too strong in my game that I want to try and get better at,” Walsh said.
“Everybody’s driving that standard, it doesn’t matter if you’re number 30 in the roster or number one, everybody’s valued in this club and we know the standards. We’re going to hold each other accountable.
“There’s no ‘he’s better than him’ in this squad. I think that’s what makes us pretty unique because it probably hasn’t always been like that here.”
Typically, the defending champions go from the hunters to the hunted, as every other outfit seeks to knock off the team to beat. Walsh is having none of that.
“I wouldn’t say we’re the hunted, we’re the hunters – we’re going after it,” Walsh said.
That will begin on Friday night against the Penrith Panthers, as Brisbane seek to cast aside their World Club Challenge defeat to Hull KR in England.
While the Broncos suffered a 30-24 loss, it was a rare occasion for the spine of Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt to link together – with Hunt coming off the bench rather than as the starting hooker.
The quartet started just four games together as a fullback, halves and hooker combination last year due to injuries and suspensions, which included their loss to the Melbourne Storm in which Reynolds and Mam failed to finish the first-half with hamstring concerns.
In their three full matches together, Brisbane scored 106 points – suffering one defeat to the Eels. According to Walsh, that screamed danger to their rivals if they remained fit.
“I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of what we can do as a spine,” Walsh said.
“Connection is our biggest one, and I don’t feel like we’ve mastered that yet. It’s pretty scary, if we all get in that mindset where we’re connecting, flowing and directing this team around, I think it’s exciting for what’s ahead.”
Sydney Morning Herald
