State of Origin 2024: Maroons coach Billy Slater won’t be supplying Reece Walsh ‘chill pills’

Broncos coach Kevin Walters suggested livewire fullback Reece Walsh needed to take a “chill pill” earlier this month - but Maroons mentor Billy Slater will be hiding the bottle from his custodian.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has scoffed at suggestions Reece Walsh needs to take a “chill pill” and is giving his superstar fullback an unshackled licence to thrill in the Origin opener against NSW.

Brisbane’s backfield phenom has returned to the Origin fold and will wage a mouth-watering fullback battle with newly-minted NSW custodian Dylan Edwards at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday week.

Walsh missed Origin III last year due to suspension but has reclaimed the Queensland No.1 jumper after injury to Kalyn Ponga paved the way for the Broncos custodian’s Maroons recall.

While Walsh has produced some moments of magic this season, the 21-year-old has also been guilty of rushed plays and unforced errors, his form mirroring a Broncos side that has yet to hit top gear.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters said recently Walsh needed to take a “chill pill” to execute with more calmness in games, but Slater insists the attacking maestro won’t be shackled or forced to change in Camp Maroon.

“No, I want Reece Walsh, he will be him,” Slater said.

“He will be good.

“He is a wonderful player and we just want the best Reece Walsh that he can be.

“There’s no pills in our camp.”

Walsh has been a project player for Slater ever since the Broncos young gun came into the Queensland set-up in 2021, when ‘Reece Lightning’ was set to be blooded as an 18-year-old by former Maroons coach Paul Green.

Green called Slater into Camp Maroon to help mentor Walsh, whose Origin debut was put on hold when he injured his hamstring at Queensland’s captain’s run on the eve of Game Two.

With Slater now at the helm as coach, Walsh has become Queensland’s pre-eminent fullback and he was magnificent last year in the opening two games to give the Maroons an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Walsh made three errors in Brisbane’s sloppy 36-34 loss to the Titans on Sunday, but Slater is backing his Maroons fullback to make the right moves in Origin I against Edwards, who is renowned for his unwavering consistency.

“It’s about the things you can outlay to your footy team and Reece brings a whole heap,” Slater said.

“I have really enjoyed working with Reece the last few years to be honest.

“I remember when he got his opportunity and he got injured in 2021, I came into camp and spent a day with him back then when Paul Green was the coach.

“It’s been a long journey and I have loved seeing the rise, not just the brilliant stuff he brings, but he has elevated his game and has good foundation to his footy now.

“I look forward to seeing him when he comes into camp and like everyone else getting to work.”

Walsh missed Brisbane’s Magic Round clash against Manly with knee soreness and he had his left knee heavily strapped against the Titans.

Walters insists Walsh will be fully fit for Origin I, but admits the Maroons fullback can improve his work without the ball.

“Reece is fine,” Walters said.

“He was good in patches (against the Titans), but defensively he has got some work to do with the organisation of our defence.

“That’s stuff we can work on. It’s not an attitude thing with Reece. We just didn’t get the right numbers in defence.”

Walsh missed Origin III last year after the NRL judiciary found him guilty of swearing at referee Chris Butler. But Slater has no concerns over Walsh’s temperament under pressure.

“You have to remember he is 21 years old,” Slater said.

Billy Slater and Reece Walsh. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Take yourself back to when you were 21 and where you were.

“Sometimes we forget how young Reece is.

“We see these guys on the TV and expect them to be perfect all the time.

“The growth that Reece has in his game in the last two seasons is incredible.

“He is a wonderful player and he will continue to grow because of the person he is.

“He has got an incredible want to be as good as he possibly can and he has a real drive to do that, he has a great work ethic and you don’t get that a lot of the time when you get super talented players.

“He has done a fantastic job every time he has represented Queensland and the Queensland people.

“He has come a long way in a short period of time and I expect that to continue.”