Reece Walsh's gesture for former teammate's daughter as Broncos fullback painted in new light

Former teammate Alex Glenn has lifted the lid on some of the insane measures the Brisbane Broncos have had to implement due to Reece Walsh's popularity, while also revealing the young fullback's softer side. It came to light earlier this year that the Broncos had to start employing security guards to stop fans overstepping the line during training sessions.

Walsh is arguably the most popular player in NRL history, and has more social media followers than the official Broncos accounts. The Courier Mail revealed last week that his popularity has gotten so out of control that he finished a training session and found a young woman waiting in the back of his ute with flowers and a gift.

This week, former Broncos captain Glenn revealed more details about the situation surrounding Walsh's fandom, and the measures the club has had to put in place. "His status has been miles above anyone that's ever been in rugby league," Glenn said on the 'Ebbs and Flows' podcast.

"There's times where the club have to get his own security for places, because he's like Sonny Bill [Williams]. I think this is the first sign our club's had someone [with that status] with Reece Walsh coming into the game.

"The club has had to learn a lot in the last two years. Reecey didn't ask for it, but when you get a good-looking fellow like him - tanned skin, green eyes - and he's killing it. It [Walsh's style of play] is entertaining, and our sport is an entertainer sport, so what he does for the game is amazing."

Walsh has endured a tumultuous year and wasn't able to reach the same heights he did in 2023. The 22-year-old helped the Broncos reached the NRL grand final last year and was a star for Queensland in the State of Origin series.

But he suffered multiple injuries in 2024 and wasn't able to sparks the Maroons in State of Origin, while the Broncos finished 12th to miss out on the finals. "I know he's still a young man, I've got to commend his resilience in terms of how he keeps picking himself up every single day," Glenn said. "Because that can drain your energy systems."

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Reece Walsh's gesture that won over Alex Glenn's daughter

Walsh cops his fair share of criticism and can be a lightning rod for controversy, but Glenn shared a story that shows how good he is as a teammate and club man. Walsh was coming through the Broncos ranks in 2020 when Glenn was captain, just before he retired in 2021.

But one moment at an end-of-season Christmas party told Glenn everything he needed to know about Walsh. "At the Christmas parties you get the rookie to be Santa, he was our Santa in our first year," Glenn said.

"So my kids were getting presents from him dressed up as Santa, and now my daughter absolutely loves him. It's cool to see him grow into the athlete that he is, but also as a father and as a person, it's cool to be part of that journey."

Walsh became a father at just 19 and credits his daughter Leila with keeping him grounded. She's been spotted at games a number of times this year, including during the State of Origin series when he suffered a brutal KO in the opening minutes of Game 1.