Brendan Piakura says Reece Walsh had flair even when he was 10

One of Reece Walsh’s Broncos teammates has shared a cheeky moment from when they were fierce rivals in junior footy that shows the star fullback has always had a flair for razzle dazzle. SEE THE CUTE PICTURES

If you think Reece Walsh has a healthy splash of the free-wheeler about him at the Broncos you should have seen him when he was 10.

Broncos teammate – then rival – Brendan Piakura well remembers the day Walsh found space where no player tends to look – between his legs.

“I remember we played against him in a grand final when we were in under 11s – me for the Helensvale Hornets and him for the Nerang Roosters – and he did this pass through his legs from dummy half and one of his teammates scored in the corner,’’ Piakura said.

“It was amazing really. What you see now is what he has been doing for a lot of years. I played against him for a lot of years.

“He was a cheeky fella then and he is a cheeky fella now. He is definitely a player you want to play with not against.’’

Reece Walsh when he played for the Nerang Roosters in the under-6s.

Broncos fullback Walsh is becoming the most talked about player in rugby league.

He had his wings clipped earlier this year when he was handed a three match suspension for abusing a referee and has toned down his chat.

But he still bristles with showmanship. If he can lead the Broncos to grand final glory against Penrith Walsh’s fame will surge again.

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh (front, right) as an under-6s player for the Nerang Roosters in 2008.

Former Nerang Roosters president James Fitzgerald believes a turning point in Walsh’s career came when he was called into a squad for the best players in South-East Queensland as a 13-year old and the coach rejected him because he did not like his attitude.

“He went away kicking stones,’’ Fitzgerald said.

“He worked really hard in the off-season and came back and just dominated. I don’t think there is a rep side he hasn’t played in since then. That rejection was the first time he had ever been denied something he really wanted.

“He thought “I am better than that’’ and he made that coach look foolish. He was always a standout from under-5s.

Reece Walsh in Sydney ahead of the grand final. Picture: Adam Head

“He was always a halfback back then. He was a cheeky little bugger then and still is. Very confident in his own ability. Don’t get me wrong, he worked very hard away from training. Father Rodney was a very good halfback on the Coast.’’

Walsh’s father coached the Nerang under-6s side which featured Walsh and Vegas Larfield, now one of the rising stars of Australian boxing.

Walsh and Larfield could easily pass as brothers and Vegas remembers ‘Reece Lightning’ terrorising opponents from a young age.

“I played fullback and so did Reece,’’ Larfield said.

“People are always telling me we look alike and I say yeah I know Reece. We still keep in touch and talk now and then.

“He was always a freak of a player. I ended up pursuing boxing, but I always knew Reece would be good enough for the NRL.”