NEWS Walsh studying Gutherson in bid for Maroons debut

[Kimlo]

Joel Gould​

April 3, 2023 — 12.07pm
Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Reece Walsh is using Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson as a template to help him become a more complete fullback as he chases a Queensland debut in State of Origin.

The 20-year-old Brisbane star has started the NRL season on fire with six try assists, three tries and three line breaks in just four games.

Reece Walsh says it is Clint Gutherson’s mentality to defence that most has his attention. Credit:Getty

He has the razzle dazzle, but it is Gutherson’s work ethic and defensive desperation that Walsh most wants to emulate now. “I try to study and watch Gutho as much as I can,” Walsh said after setting up three tries in the Broncos’ 46-12 win over Wests Tigers.

“He is one of best defensive fullbacks in the comp. You watch him and he is always on his bike working his butt off for the team and saving more tries than some teams are scoring. “The way Gutho moves at the back, the way he talks to his middles and the way he gets in the defensive line and is always there saving tries … is something I am slowly trying to get into my game.”

Walsh has made several try-saving tackles this year but NRL statistics show that he has made 19 tackles and missed eight – still too many in the missed column for his liking. Walsh said he studied the leading fullbacks such as James Tedesco, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tom Trbojevic, but it is the Gutherson mentality to defence that most has his attention.

“I haven’t quite got that yet. I know that is a weakness of my game but I am doing everything I can to try and strengthen that so I can be an all-round player,” he said. “I watch the games back and see where I can improve. I let one try in tonight. That was poor from me. I have got to keep working hard and make sure I am better next time.”

Walsh was on the cusp of playing for the Maroons in 2021 but was injured in the captain’s run and had to pull out. With incumbent Queensland No.1 Kalyn Ponga out of action for Newcastle as he recovers from concussion issues, Walsh has put himself in contention for a call-up.

“I’ve always looked up to Queensland. If I get a chance to play for them that would be massive,” he said. “I don’t want to look too far ahead because I want to be the best player I can be for the Broncos. If that (selection) comes, that comes.” Walsh is thriving behind a pack magnificently led by Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, who are enabling him to showcase his wares and set up his speedy fellow outside backs.

“That’s my job. The middles are working their butts off and it is my job to put the icing on the cake,” he said.

 

[Kimlo]

Love Walshy. What a guy.

 

[ningnangnong]

He sounds like he's matured a lot.

 

[BroncsFan]

Great to hear that he's focussing on his defence... it's yet to be really tested at this stage, which could be because his communication to the defensive line is great and teams arent breaking us.... but the physicality of the position is still yet to be tested at this stage.

Gutho is an excellent defensive fullback (possibly best in the league at the moment), but he's got physicality and strength on Reece.... Paps and Slater are also great defensive fullbacks and of smaller stature that he should be looking to emulate as well.

 

[Alec]

Great to hear that he's focussing on his defence... it's yet to be really tested at this stage, which could be because his communication to the defensive line is great and teams arent breaking us.... but the physicality of the position is still yet to be tested at this stage.

Gutho is an excellent defensive fullback (possibly best in the league at the moment), but he's got physicality and strength on Reece.... Paps and Slater are also great defensive fullbacks and of smaller stature that he should be looking to emulate as well.

Out of all the fullback skills I'd love for Reece to learn, it would be Slater's positioning, which was some of the best I've ever seen. I don't think Slater would have been anywhere near the same player, in attack or defence, even with all his speed, if he just didn't learn how to be in the perfect position at the perfect time.

 

[BroncsFan]

Out of all the fullback skills I'd love for Reece to learn, it would be Slater's positioning, which was some of the best I've ever seen. I don't think Slater would have been anywhere near the same player, in attack or defence, even with all his speed, if he just didn't learn how to be in the perfect position at the perfect time.

Yep... and I feel Paps is similar and in both cases it's their speed and stamina/fitness that allow them to be there.

Those two are always present to make a nuisance of themselves as an absolute minimum... Paps has come up with some great tackles to hold up the ball as well... it's one thing that Walsh needs to watch and figure out from him, because Gutho can use pure strength.

On the weekend he literally held Victor over the goal line and made the put down infinitely harder to complete... Walsh isn't holding up 100kg forwards no matter how much he watches Gutho.

Paps and Slater allow attackers to get to the ground, but they make sure the ball is wrapped up... they're basically tackling the ball more than the actual man... much easier to hold up 1 arm compared to the entire player.

 

[mrslong]

Paps is good cos he listened to Slater's tutelage. Let's hope Reecey at least gets into origin camp and around Billy.

 

[McHunt]

Joel Gould​

April 3, 2023 — 12.07pm
Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Reece Walsh is using Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson as a template to help him become a more complete fullback as he chases a Queensland debut in State of Origin.

The 20-year-old Brisbane star has started the NRL season on fire with six try assists, three tries and three line breaks in just four games.
View attachment 21695
Reece Walsh says it is Clint Gutherson’s mentality to defence that most has his attention. Credit:Getty

He has the razzle dazzle, but it is Gutherson’s work ethic and defensive desperation that Walsh most wants to emulate now. “I try to study and watch Gutho as much as I can,” Walsh said after setting up three tries in the Broncos’ 46-12 win over Wests Tigers.

“He is one of best defensive fullbacks in the comp. You watch him and he is always on his bike working his butt off for the team and saving more tries than some teams are scoring. “The way Gutho moves at the back, the way he talks to his middles and the way he gets in the defensive line and is always there saving tries … is something I am slowly trying to get into my game.”

Walsh has made several try-saving tackles this year but NRL statistics show that he has made 19 tackles and missed eight – still too many in the missed column for his liking. Walsh said he studied the leading fullbacks such as James Tedesco, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tom Trbojevic, but it is the Gutherson mentality to defence that most has his attention.

“I haven’t quite got that yet. I know that is a weakness of my game but I am doing everything I can to try and strengthen that so I can be an all-round player,” he said. “I watch the games back and see where I can improve. I let one try in tonight. That was poor from me. I have got to keep working hard and make sure I am better next time.”

Walsh was on the cusp of playing for the Maroons in 2021 but was injured in the captain’s run and had to pull out. With incumbent Queensland No.1 Kalyn Ponga out of action for Newcastle as he recovers from concussion issues, Walsh has put himself in contention for a call-up.

“I’ve always looked up to Queensland. If I get a chance to play for them that would be massive,” he said. “I don’t want to look too far ahead because I want to be the best player I can be for the Broncos. If that (selection) comes, that comes.” Walsh is thriving behind a pack magnificently led by Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, who are enabling him to showcase his wares and set up his speedy fellow outside backs.

“That’s my job. The middles are working their butts off and it is my job to put the icing on the cake,” he said.

Gutherson should be watching Walsh.

 

[Browny]

I’ll take Walsh watching other players and stealing key qualities.

Unlike Milf who didn’t want to learn from the GOAT

 

[Manofoneway]

Haven't had a favorite player since locky left but now I have two. Carrigan and Walsh. Good time to be a fan

 

[Big Del]

Walsh isn't holding up 100kg forwards no matter how much he watches Gutho.

I think of Mat Bowen , Alfie and Johnathon Thurston .
Takes till their mid 20s to build the upper body size and strength .

 

[BroncsFan]

I think of Mat Bowen , Alfie and Johnathon Thurston .
Takes till their mid 20s to build the upper body size and strength .

For the Gutho one on the weekend though he's literally holding Victor off the ground by his waist and then puts his foot or something in the way when he's trying to put the ball down.

That's a different kind of hold up that you just dont see very often

I think last year for the Warriors Walsh was often there when the attacker is putting the ball down, but was getting bumped off due to his size... he'll figure out a technique that works for him and when he does we will have an absolute elite fullback.

He's already elite with ball in hand, lightning quick, vocal in the defensive line and has confidence to want the ball in his hands.

If he becomes a presence defensively and stopping tries, which he's already done a couple times this year... he'll be right up there amongst the top fullbacks in the comp

 

[Scorchie]

On the bright side at least he didn’t say he’s studying Darius

 

[McHunt]

Billy Slater:

“Reece is doing a wonderful job and it’s nice to see we have several options in that fullback position. I am really liking what Reece is doing in defence more than anything. He is putting himself in positions to stop tries and the fullback position is more than just the sparkly stuff. A lot of the general public don’t notice some of the little things, but they are the things I look at."​

​

“Fullback is a position I played for a long time and I’m probably a bit hard on guys like Reece and ‘Hammer’ because I understand the ins and outs of the position so much, so I see more than other people see."​

​

“Reece is playing superb football in a great environment in Brisbane with Kevin Walters and even having a mentor at the club in Darius Boyd, that will hold him in good stead.”​

Lockyer:

“I don’t think the occasion would worry him. It was only a couple of years ago that he was in the Queensland team and had to pull out because of injury. He got a taste for what that environment is like even though he didn’t take the field. There is still a long way to go between now and the first Origin but he is playing in a team that’s winning and he is doing well himself. He is going to attack with flair but I’d think that what he is doing defensively is the more important thing for a coach like Billy. Reece brings a bit of X-factor."​

​

"The priority is Kalyn’s health. The hardest thing with Kalyn is the unknown. He could be back sooner than we think and everything will be OK, or it could be more serious than that. Hopefully he gets some clarity and a few questions answered in his trip to Canada. At the end of the day, that’s something I can’t control so my only concern is Kalyn’s welfare and I hope things go well from there.”​

 

[Big Del]

On the bright side at least he didn’t say he’s studying Darius

Well actually Darius is back 5 coach according to Assistant Coach Walters on NRL 360 last night .

 

[Foordy]

On the bright side at least he didn’t say he’s studying Darius

Darius is one of the coaches Walsh has been working closely with.

and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want that. prior to his final 2 years, Boyd was one of the best fullbacks in the world. he has plenty to teach Walsh

 

[LittleDavey]

Darius is one of the coaches Walsh has been working closely with.

and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want that. prior to his final 2 years, Boyd was one of the best fullbacks in the world. he has plenty to teach Walsh

Agreed, his body (and attitude) may have let him down at the end there but he was a damn fine FB. I don't think many here would really disagree, even if the circumstances at the end soured things. I was very critical of him towards the end but that doesn't change that he was elite for a long period of time. I have no doubt he can teach our backs a whole lot, so I'm glad to have him on board.

 

[Scorchie]

P

Darius is one of the coaches Walsh has been working closely with.

and I'm not sure why you wouldn't want that. prior to his final 2 years, Boyd was one of the best fullbacks in the world. he has plenty to teach Walsh

Provided he’s coaching 2010-2015 DB, super