Reece Walsh put at the top of Australia’s flag football team’s wishlist

Reece Walsh has been put at the top of a rival code’s wishlist, with the exciting fullback identified as the perfect star recruit.

Reece Walsh is reportedly a wanted man, with Australia’s flag football team eyeing off the Broncos superstar ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

The 22-year-old has had a horror start to the season, with his game littered with errors as he struggles to gel with new teammate Ben Hunt.

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However, that hasn’t stopped former Wallabies legend Quade Cooper – who has put his hand up to join the team – from identifying Walsh and Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as ideal teammates.

“You look at the guys like Reece Walsh, like the Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow), the way they move, the way they’re able to accelerate, how dynamic they are, how smooth and skilful they are,” Cooper told Code Sports.

“These are guys who play on both sides of the ball, able to transition into a game like this, it’s like you’re attacking, but then you also have to defend.

“It’s not a contact game, but just the awareness to be able to know how someone moves, be able to defend them.

“I think those sorts of guys are perfect for flag football.”

Reece Walsh has been identified as a perfect flag football recruit. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The 37-year-old is set to take part in a tour of the US in June with an Australian squad and wants Walsh by his side.

Flag football is a non-contact version of American football and is making its debut at the LA Games.

Speaking of his decision to compete in the LA Games, Cooper said he wanted to be part of something “that could potentially change the landscape for a lot of people in our country”.

Quade Cooper has put his hand up to play flag football for Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The rugby great hopes he can add an Olympic medal to his impressive CV in 2028 and wants Australia to have a team that proves competitive, identifying Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as perfect teammates.

“(I want) to be part of something that could potentially change the landscape for a lot of people in our country, all around the world, give them an avenue to play in a sport at the Olympics, is pretty special.

“And to be able to pave a way for a new sport that I could see take over a lot of space, and for a lot of people who love and want to participate in rugby or league or AFL, that’s very similar a lot of skills and attributes of the game that I love so much, would be cool.”

Originally published as Reece Walsh put at the top of Australia’s flag football team’s wishlist