Reece Walsh: Ignore the critics, the Broncos keep turning up and are working hard

Rugby league is a results based business, and Reece Walsh knows the Broncos have not been delivering where it matters – but the superstar has a message for the doubters, and the fans.

Reece Walsh spent Thursday on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast searching for a golf course. One NRL game into his return from a knee injury, his comeback having coincided with the Brisbane Broncos return to form, Walsh was looking to relax.

In recent years, this week would have been about preparing for the State of Origin series. Walsh’s injury woes put paid to that, although he is on call if Billy Slater and the Maroons need him.

Until then, he has his golf swing and the Broncos to worry about. Walsh sat out more than a month while recovering from a posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, a period when the Broncos lurched from one defeat to the next.

Listen to the whispers and the Broncos were an unhappy club. They were off the coach, over the training and in the wrong frame of mind to win footy games.

That all seemingly changed when Walsh made his return last week against the Gold Coast as the Broncos put on a show at Suncorp Stadium.

“A lot of people have a lot of things to say, talking about us players whinging and all that,” Walsh said.

“Being in the four walls, we turn up with a good attitude and willing to work hard and we want to do it.

Reece Walsh rejects talk that the Broncos are not working hard enough. Picture: Getty Images

“We’re turning up every day, and Madge (Maguire) and the coaching staff are turning up every day, with that attitude of wanting to get better.

“It’s obviously tough to hear people trying to chip us for not wanting to be there and not wanting to work hard because that’s just not the case.

“It’s tough for me, the industry we’re in. Rugby league is (based) on results and at the moment we’re not getting the results. But we’re continuing to turn up each week, put our heads down, work hard and try to put our best foot forward.

“We just have to keep standing by each other and working hard. We’ll get the results in the end – we will get what we deserve.”

THE KNEE

Walsh made a stunning return against the Titans last weekend but for a fleeting moment, there were fears that disaster had struck.

Walsh went down in agony in the second half and reached for his knee. The instant thought among Broncos fans was oh no, not again.

“Just jarred it,” he said.

“I sort of knew going into the game that if I had a little moment like that it was going to happen and I just had to push through.

“I think it’s just about getting used to it and letting the knee heal for a little bit longer. But hopefully not the whole year to be honest.”

If there was an upside from the knee injury, it was that Walsh got the opportunity to spend more time with his family, including the opportunity to watch his nephew play rugby league for the first time.

Reece Walsh says his recent knee injury gave him the ‘perspective to be able to watch footy from the outside looking in.’ Picture: Getty Images

The other benefit was the impact it couldn’t potentially have on his own career. Walsh is a rabid rugby league watcher and used his time off to work on his own game.

“I watch footy religiously,” he said.

“If I’m being honest, it was probably a good stint for me on the sidelines to be able to sit back and have that outside looking in view of it.

“Sometimes it can get hard when you’re in these four walls …. you probably get lost a little bit. For me being on the sidelines, I’ve seen a lot of vision of where we can get better and the things that we can do.

“I feel like for myself, the little things that I can help around the team – I can be of more value. So having that time off really gave me that perspective to be able to watch footy from the outside looking in.

“I’m going to try to bring little things to the team where I think we can get better.”

ORIGIN OMISSION

Walsh watched the opening game of the State of Origin series with family and friends. He had planned to go to the game but didn’t want to ask for tickets, so he took a seat on the lounge surrounded by his loved ones.

It was a difficult experience given he played five of the past six games leading into this season. He had effectively taken ownership of the Maroons No. 1 jersey.

Injury cruelled his hopes of playing in Origin I and game two arrived too early.

“It was tough, mate,” he said of watching Origin I.

“I wasn’t really thinking too much about the Origin stuff to be honest. Like I was just more worried about getting my knee right and getting back and just playing for the Broncos.

QLD Maroons coach Billy Slater (R) talks to Reece Walsh after game three of the 2024 Men's State of Origin series. Picture: Getty Images

“Obviously off the back of that, I feel like the rest will take care of itself. I’m not in the Origin squad and it’s obviously disappointing.

“But I feel first comes the Broncos and the rest will take care of itself I guess.”

That said, he won’t say no if Slater comes calling.

“I’m never going to say no to the Queensland jersey,” Walsh said.

“If I’m playing good footy and I’m in contention, I’ll put my hand up to play for Queensland. Obviously Bill is a great coach and there is always a plan.

“Sometimes people probably don’t understand what he’s doing but you know he’s a person that looks into detail a lot and like I said, he’s always got a plan.

“I trust and respect Bill. Whichever way he wants to go mate, at the end of the day when I’m not a player in the Queensland team, I’m a fan and a supporter.

“I’m backing whatever he wants to do and I’m sure the boys will go out there and try to make a statement after game one.”

Reece Walsh has backed the Origin selection of his good mate Ezra Mam. Picture: Instagram

BACKING EZRA

While Walsh won’t be part of the Queensland side in Perth, his good mate and Broncos teammate Ezra Mam will be there.

His selection as 18th man for the Maroons caused its fair share of outrage given events of 12 months ago, when Mam was involved in a car accident and pleaded guilty to one count of driving while a relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a licence.

The NRL weighed in with a nine-match suspension and hefty fine. Mam apologised and has since made his return with the Broncos, quickly finding his stride.

Even so, Slater has been criticised for elevating him back to Origin. Walsh can understand the views of those who have railed against the decision but insists that he is happy for his mate.

“Obviously, he’s a good mate of mine,” Walsh said.

Reece Walsh working hard at training. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I can understand where people have their opinions and where the controversy comes from. For myself, I’m really happy for him to be in the squad and in the mix around some real quality players.

“It’s only going to make him better as a player. I feel like …. he served his time that the NRL has given him and the club has given him.

“It’s something that might not sit well with some people, but I feel like Ezra has done what the NRL, the club (have asked from him) – every challenge that they’ve given to him.

“He’s put himself in a position to get picked and Queensland have picked him.”

CHASING PREMIERSHIPS

The Broncos began the season among the favourites for the premiership and despite their recent woes, they headed into round 15 well and truly in the mix for the top eight.

Their win over the Titans appeared to right the ship but the proof will only be in how they play over the next month.

It won’t be easy given they have games coming up against some of the competition’s high flyers – their next three games are against the Sharks, Warriors and Bulldogs.

Asked whether winning a title was still the priority, Walsh said: “Of course. I look at the Bulldogs, the last few years – they’ve just been building and working on their culture.

“We’re trying to do the same thing. I guess we just gotta keep turning up and working hard.”