State of Origin 2024: Queensland legends say NRL needs to better-protect Reece Walsh from targeting tactics

Queensland and Broncos fullback Reece Walsh was undoubtedly targeted in the Origin decider – and Maroons legends have urged the NRL to protect him from being bashed out of the game.

Fullback legends Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer have urged the NRL to protect Queensland No.1 Reece Walsh amid fears the Broncos star could be bashed out of the game.

Walsh was looking worse for wear in the Maroons dressing room on Wednesday night after copping a barrage of Blues attacks in Queensland’s 14-4 Origin decider loss to NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

Covered in ice packs and hobbling after the game, Walsh appeared to be at long odds of backing up for Brisbane in Saturday night’s clash with the Knights in Newcastle.

Walsh, 22, has become one of the NRL’s top attractions over the past few years with his dynamic style and is the game’s most popular player among young fans.

Fears abound for Reece Walsh's future after he was bashed from pillar to post in Origin.

But he has also become a target for opposition teams who have realised limiting his impact plays a key role in the outcome of a match.

Walsh was brutally knocked out by a flying Joseph Suaalii in Origin I and targeted by the Blues in the Game 2 massacre at the MCG.

Queensland coach Slater was a target throughout his glittering career and said Walsh was hit late multiple times by the Blues again in the series finale.

“I think he was certainly getting hit a fair bit without the footy,” he said.

“They (officials) will review their own game. I am sure they will look at that.

“I think he was hit a little bit off the footy. It is State of Origin. I know what it is like and I understand what he is going through. It is just the way it is.”

Walsh suffered a facial fracture early in the season and Broncos coach Kevin Walters has appealed for the NRL to crack down on players targeting his superstar fullback.

Walsh has been restricted to 10 games for the Broncos this season due to injuries and Origin and has had little impact for his club compared to his heroics during Brisbane’s charge to last year’s grand final.

Walsh appeared to struggle with injury during the clash. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

He looked in pain throughout the decider and struggled to impose himself on the contest as Queensland craved a piece of magic following a stoic defensive effort.

Lockyer, one of the game’s greatest fullbacks, said Walsh had to learn to deal with being a target but the NRL had to stamp out illegal tactics.

“Niggling tactics in Origin are always going to be there,” Lockyer said.

“From Reece’s perspective, he already knows he is going to be a target so it’s just how he manages it. He just can’t let it affect his performance.

“He is still young and the mindset from NSW would have been to try and unsettle him. Reece will have to contend with that most of his career – the attention.

“It doesn’t mean the referees should allow it. They should keep an eye on it, but Reece has to know because he is so good he will get that extra attention and he will need to manage it.”

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said Walsh was going through a testing period in his career following a meteoric rise in just 70 NRL games.

“Billy can speak from experience. He has got a good view of what is going on at Origin level so if he is saying something is going on it is probably worth having a look at it,” he said.

“I have been through exactly what Reece has been through. You go through these periods where the opposition will try and come up with ways to stop you.

“Knowing the person he is, he has got the work ethic and the ability to overcome it. I have got so much belief in Reece Walsh.

“I feel like his series this year, his second year in (Origin), is where you have to figure out different ways to beat an opposition.”

Queensland utility Kalyn Ponga said Walsh had become a target because of his talent.

“It’s a compliment to him,” he said.

“They try to take him out of the game because he’s so good. You can’t do it illegally these days.

“He is a threat and someone they identify because he’s so good.

“He is a tough little bugger.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Queensland legends say NRL needs to better-protect Reece Walsh from targeting tactics