Broncos star Reece Walsh vows to stay out of trouble after hiring sports psychologist to help deal with pressure

He is one of the true superstars of the NRL. But after serving a three-match ban for his referee furore, Broncos sensation Reece Walsh has sought professional help to control his temper.

Reece Walsh in action for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

Reece Walsh has revealed he has enlisted a sports psychologist to help the Broncos superstar “slow my brain” and ensure he avoids another furore with NRL referees on the eve of the finals.

In his first interview since serving a three-match ban for abusing a referee, Walsh vowed to stay out of trouble and has sought professional help to work on controlling his emotions in the heat of battle.

Walsh was outstanding in Brisbane’s 54-10 drubbing of the Eels last Friday night at the Gabba and since his return four weeks ago, the Broncos young gun has made a deliberate attempt not to argue with NRL referees.

Known for his high-octane personality, Walsh has tempered his moments of rage with the help of experienced sports psychologist Jacqui Louder, who also works with the Melbourne Storm and AFL powerhouse Collingwood.

Reece Walsh is trying to control his emotions in the heat of battle.

Louder guided Storm star Cameron Munster through his off-field ordeal two years ago and now Walsh is striving for calmness to complement his class, admitting he let the Broncos down.

“I am seeing a lady outside the club, her name is Jacqui and she has been pretty massive for me,” said Walsh.

“She works for Collingwood, she is down (in Melbourne) with them and she has worked with some NRL boys as well.

“When I talk to her, I just feel calm.

Walsh is one of the NRL’s most popular players.

“Jacqui says the right things and we’re trying to put some strategies in place, so when I get in those (heated) situations, I have all the tools there to fall back on and be positive.

“She has been good, putting strategies in and around the things that make me frustrated on the field.

“I am a pretty energised person. I get happy easy, I love playing footy, I love winning, I love seeing the boys happy and with a smile on their face and any chance I get to bring some energy in good parts of the game, I will do that.

“There’s also parts that frustrate me, but I feel like the boys are really helping me out there, too, telling me to be calm and I can feel myself wanting to express myself but then I’m pulling myself back.

“It’s something I am working on and I will continue to work on. We’re going in the right direction.”

Walsh has vowed not to let the club down again after his three-match ban for abusing a referee.

After making his Queensland debut in this year’s series opener, Walsh was rubbed out of Origin III after being found guilty by the NRL judiciary of swearing at referee Chris Butler in Brisbane’s round 17 clash against the Titans.

At the time, Walsh insisted he was swearing at teammate Pat Carrigan — not Butler — but concedes his general conduct was unacceptable and pledged to be squeaky clean as Brisbane eye their first title in 17 years.

“I was disappointed in myself,” he said of the suspension and referee furore.

“It was good reflection time about the way I talk to my teammates and when to pull it back in and when to be a bit calmer.

“I am in an important role in the team and at times I have to have a steady head and that’s something I am definitely working on.

“There’s some moments out there where the boys are saying, ‘Calm, slow your brain, the team needs you here’, so it’s something I’m addressing and it’s at the forefront of my mind.

Broncos sensation Walsh made his Origin debut in this year’s series opener but missed Game Three due to suspension.

“It’s good that I am working on these things.

“When you get in trouble, you know you are letting your teammates down.

“There were three weeks there where I sat on the sideline and I let my teammates down and I let the club down.

“I really want to learn from it.

“Obviously I am still young, I am in an important role in the team, but I have to give credit to the leaders in the team, ‘Reyno’ (Adam Reynolds), ’Capes’ (Kurt Capewell) and big Patty Carrigan as well.

“They slow me down and get me back to being a smart footballer and taking the emotion out of it.

“I am working on it. It’s a part of my game I am getting better at ... I don’t want that stuff to happen again.”