Queenslander Walsh taking inspiration from the other 'king'

Since making his club debut in Round 2 this year, Reece Walsh has been lighting up the competition at fullback, with his speed and guile producing some exciting tries for the Broncos.

Already this season, Walsh – who debuted in the NRL with the Warriors in 2021 – has run for 677 metres, scored three tries and produced six try assists.

However, the man himself is not satisfied with his form just yet and is taking inspiration from an unlikely source to improve his game, with Walsh saying he wanted to model his play on that of Parramatta Eels custodian Clint Gutherson.

"I try to study, watch, Gutho as much as I can ... he's one of the best defensive fullbacks in the comp," Walsh told media following Brisbane's Round 5 win against the Tigers. 

"If you watch him, he’s always on his bike, working his butt for the team and he's saving more tries than some teams are scoring.

"He's someone that I try and watch as much as I can.

"Teddy's (James Tedesco) awesome as well, so obviously I watch Teddy play and things that he does and things that he does well for the Roosters.

"But the way Gutho moves at the back, the way he talks to his middles, when he gets in the defensive line – he's there every single time saving tries. I think he’s saved more tries than I have scored in my career.

"He works his butt off, so that's something I'm slowly trying to put into my game. I haven't quite got that yet, but I know that's a weakness in my game, but I'm also trying to strengthen that side and do everything that I can to be an all-around player."

Former Broncos fullback Darren Lockyer has had a front row to the Walsh show and said he had been impressed with the way he had started the season.

However, Lockyer – who sits on the Broncos board and also currently serves as a Queensland Maroons State of Origin selector – agreed with Walsh that a focus on defence would help take his game to another level.

“He brings a bit of x-factor and I think we've always known he's talented and having Darius (Boyd) there, teaching not so much about the attacking part of (the fullback role) but the defensive aspect to that, putting yourself in the right position and the communication, I think that's really going to enhance his game and I think if he plays with discipline every week, he’s going to have a fantastic career.”

While the first game is almost two months away, Walsh’s form has fuelled plenty of Origin speculation, with the the Nerang junior high on the list of candidates for the fullback role which also includes incumbent Kalyn Ponga and Titans talent AJ Brimson when fit, as well as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has been a standout for the Dolphins.

“Only a couple of years ago he was in the team and he had to pull out late due to injury, so I think he got a taste for what that environment’s like, even though he didn't take the field,” Lockyer said at the Brisbane launch for Magic Round.

“There’s still a long way to go between now and the first Origin, but he's playing in a team that's winning, and he's doing well himself.

“If he keeps playing (with) discipline and minimises his errors; from an Origin perspective, as a coach, Billy Slater’s (one of) the best fullback’s ever – and he'll understand what Reece needs to work on if he's going to be ready for that environment.

“The occasion wouldn’t worry him … but your complete game (gets looked at).

“He's going to attack with flare, that's always going to be there and I'd be thinking what he's doing defensively is probably more important …

“Defence has been the constant theme of the Broncos and Kevie said in the off-season he wanted Reece to be better with his defence and he's obviously worked on that.”

For Walsh, the immediate focus was on playing well for the Broncos, but was no doubt chasing an Origin debut after a hamstring injury during the captain’s run in the lead up to Game II in 2021 ruled him out of the team previously.  

“I’ll keep doing my job for the Broncos … I don't look too ahead … I really just want to be the best player I can be each week for the Broncos and if that comes, it comes,” Walsh said.

“I've always looked up to Queensland and what they do and the way they carry themselves and if I get the chance to play for them, that would be massive.

“But like I said, I just want to be the best fullback for the Broncos and if I am around playing good footy and that time comes – whatever happens, happens.”