Few in Australian sport could fathom the fame Reece Walsh has garnered at such a young age.
That lightning step and enigmatic play style, that growing social media following, that swagger which both attracts and frustrates pundits.
At 21, he is arguably rugby league’s most recognisable face. But now, Walsh must reinvent himself.
Reece Walsh may only be 21, but he will need to become a leader if the Broncos are to return to premiership contention.Credit: Getty
Fresh off signing a lucrative contract extension with the Brisbane Broncos to the end of 2029, the club has shown its hand in how much he is regarded, but also expected to deliver.
On and off the field the marquee fullback must use his profile to lead a young Broncos outfit crying out for standards to be imposed after a 2024 campaign of bitter disappointment.
“It’s time to start taking on more of a leader role,” Walsh says.
“I’ve got so much more to learn, and it’s good having Madge [coach Michael Maguire] and all the senior boys there I can lean on for advice.
“I want to grow into one of those leader roles, and that’s about absorbing off those great people who have been around for a long time.”
Reece Walsh
“If I can continue to try and get better with the boys here, and we all can grow as one, I think we can all start to mature more and be those leaders that everyone needs.”
The value of Walsh’s new deal reportedly surpasses $1 million a season – money that can set up his life, but has proven the downfall of many.
In a 30-man squad, the Queensland Maroon takes up roughly a 10th of the salary cap.
Walsh knows he was born for this stage, and plays with such confidence he seems not to care about wayward passes or dropped balls – he will still come back to fire another shot.
But he is part of a squad that has just five players aged 30 or older: Adam Reynolds, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Marty Taupau and Delouise Hoeter.
Only Walters is contracted beyond 2025, and without the veterans, the leadership onus will fall on Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Walsh.
All four are 26 or younger, yet will be tasked with carrying the famous brand to premiership glory.
Walsh’s fearless nature might need to be reined in at times. His 81 errors across 36 Broncos games might not be forgiven.
Brisbane will need someone to front the cameras amid failings – Walsh’s press conference this week is his first Broncos’ media appearance since before round one.
“Me and Madge had a few chats … just about me growing as a person, growing as a player, and I want to be that player everyone wants to play with.
“Madge is really driving that. I’ve got so much growth in me, and he sees that in me. From the chats we’ve had already there’s some good, honest conversations, and those are the conversations you want to get better.”
But Walsh is dissatisfied. He “plays the game to win”, and has tasted success just seven times for the Broncos this year and once for the Maroons – a game in which he was knocked out just seven minutes into the contest.
He no longer wants to be the man who pulls a rabbit out of the hat when the moment strikes. He wants every touch to have impact, every move to be precise.
As the Broncos’ attacking linchpin, Brisbane’s vocal fan base will be praying that to be the case.
“Narrowing the gap between my best game and my worst, that’s a big thing that’s sticking out in my head,” Walsh says.
“Consistency is a big thing I’m chasing.
“You look at players like Payne, where every single game he’s turning up and every single training session he’s turning up.
“If I can just take little things out of their game – Payne, Patty, Reyno – and keep growing and maturing as the years go on, that’s a big thing for me.”
