By Murray Wenzel
So excitable is Reece Walsh that Adam Reynolds admits his biggest pre-season job may be figuring out how to calm the fullback down.
But the skipper hopes the 20-year-old’s confidence, exuberance and booming voice will help plug the leaking defence that still haunts the NRL squad as they enter a defining third season under Kevin Walters.
Walsh returns to Brisbane as the likely fullback from the New Zealand Warriors, where he went in 2021 when the promising Broncos junior was unable to crack the side’s top 30.
Two years later, he looms as a key piece for a side chasing a return to finals after a record three seasons on the outer and one of the worst fade-outs in NRL history.
“Reece is such a dynamic player, gets around the field quickly and is out the back of (offensive) shape 24/7,” Reynolds said.
“So it’s about calming him down a little bit, (so we can) pick and choose when we need him at that intensity. He’s a young kid, eager to learn.”
Reece Walsh has returned to Red Hill two years after departing for the Warriors.Credit:Getty
South Sydney recruit Reynolds looked set to pilot Brisbane to a finals return last year.
But they fell from fourth after round 19 to finish ninth, losing five of their last six games and conceding 113 points in two of those losses.
“That still hurts; as much as there were positives, those things stick around,” the captain said.
“We’ve seen the heights we can get to, but that’s not good enough. We need to maintain that week in, week out.”
Star recruit Adam Reynolds appeared set to guide Brisbane back to the finals last season before the Broncos suffered a calamitous late-season fadeout.Credit:Getty
Reynolds battled a painful rib injury last season but wants to play until the end of the 2025 season, at which point he will be 35.
He said despite — or potentially due to — a dental emergency he has returned in fine fettle.
“I had a bad infection in my mouth, had a tooth ripped out. Not the best two-week break for me, but dropped a bit of extra weight,” he said.
“I’ve come back probably the fittest I’ve been in a long time. Skin folds are down, weight’s done … living up here (in the heat) helps.”
Covered in tattoos and sporting a rabbit on his left foot, he said there was room saved on his right for a bronco.
“I’m enjoying my time here, it’s a privilege to represent this great club,” he said. “I know I don’t have a lot of time left in the game and want to make the most of my opportunities when I’ve got them.”
The Broncos will train without Payne Haas for another 10 days after the NSW Origin enforcer took personal leave until January 16 after his mother was charged over her alleged involvement in a car accident that killed three people.
Haas’ mother Uiatu Taufua has been charged with three counts of manslaughter after a head-on car crash on the Gold Coast last Friday.
AAP
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