Reece Walsh's brutally honest admission as Broncos fullback silences State of Origin doubters
The two Maroons stars went head-to-head on Saturday night in a NRL blockbuster.
Reece Walsh has made the honest admission he felt he let the Broncos down last year after the State of Origin period with the fullback returning to his scintillating best on Saturday night. Walsh endured a tough State of Origin series with some fans questioning whether he should be the Maroons No.1 next year after Queensland lost it's first decider at Suncorp in 19 years.
However, Walsh showed why on his day there is arguably no better fullback having outperformed Knights rival Kalyn Ponga with a player-of-the-match display in the Broncos' 30-14 win. With their season on the line, Walsh was at his electric best having carved open the Knights defence time and time again as he finished with a try, two try assists, two linebreaks and 174 running metres.
The Broncos put the game out of reach for the home side having raced out to a strong 18-0 lead at half-time. Walsh admitted he was battered and bruised from Origin during a half-time interview, but managed to play all 80 minutes.
Walsh's form coincided with the return of Adam Reynolds who helped hand the Broncos strong field territory for the majority of the contest. And Walsh used Reynolds to scope around the field, which resulted in him having plenty of time to use his speed and create overlaps on both sides of the field.
In the end, Walsh was thrilled to have finished the game after a bruising 80 minutes for the Maroons on Wednesday. However, Walsh made the honest admission he felt last year he let the Broncos down after Origin. Walsh was suspended for his role in a scuffle with Jarome Luai last year.
Despite the criticism, Walsh has exited Origin fit and is ready to help the Broncos make the NRL top eight. "I think having that break with Adam Reynolds out, I felt off the back of last year through the the Origin period, I felt like I sort of let the team down," he said to Fox Sports after the victory.
"So I just wanted to take some steps in the right direction. I am just glad I have some awesome leaders...that back me and give me that confidence." Walsh certainly stepped up when the Broncos needed him.
Unfortunately, Ponga wasn't able to lead the Knights to victory as they also face the possibility of missing the top eight as they sit on 18 points. And Walsh's display certainly silenced some of the doubters from Origin. Many called for Ponga to replace Walsh as the Maroons No.1 next year after the state lost the series. Although Walsh went some way in silencing the critics having put in the best fullback display of the round so far.
Can’t wait to see Walsh do this on Wednesday nights once we get more middles back come Origin time 😌
— Jordyn 🐻☘️ (@HeadbandTatum0) July 20, 2024
its almost like if walsh had any support from his fowards in origin he could have made the type of impact hes making tonight
— abby | aang lovebot (@lowkeyabby) July 20, 2024
We all know how talented Reece Walsh is. He's a gamebreaker. One step and he's gone.
And yet it always feels like he's two steps ahead of anyone else but in a bad way.
Our players can't keep up. He throws a pass expecting them to be there and they're 2m behind.— CAPEL (@laurencecapel) July 20, 2024
Reece Walsh is having a blinder, hope everyone shuts up now
— Aiden (@yeahmateright) July 20, 2024
Reece Walsh couldn’t have played a better half than that, could’ve had about 4 try assists
— Jarrod (@Jarrod__S) July 20, 2024
Reece Walsh praises Kalyn Ponga after Origin defeat
After the game, Walsh was asked about how he felt going up against Queensland teammate Ponga having only played together a few days earlier. The duo appeared to get along very well in Maroons camp and Maroons fans were unfortunately not able to see the pair combine to give the state a win. Walsh admitted the duo were quite downbeat after the Origin defeat, but it was nice going up against his friend.
"It was cool. We were sitting there after the game and were a bit dirty," Walsh said after the victory. "But then we remembered we got to verse each other in two days. I just said, 'mate I don't think I will be able to keep a serious face looking at you', it was good," Walsh admitted with a smile on his face.
The duo are arguably the two most exciting fullbacks in the game and both their clubs are fighting to make the NRL top eight. The Knights will have a bye next week, while the Broncos will face the Bulldogs at home in round 21.
Kevin Walters praises return of Adam Reynolds
The Broncos finally broke their six-game losing streak to reignite their NRL campaign as they seek to make a late push into the top eight. And the win coincided with the return of superstar general Reynolds. And Walters couldn't have praised the influence of the veteran more after the game.
"Sometimes that's as simple as it is. They are two of our best players, and they are back playing together, they are good together," Walters said. "Adam and Reece have got a really unique combination that only those two (get). They just know what each other is doing.
"Adam with his style of play and the way he plays, really suits Reece and his style of play. Together they are very dynamic."
