State of Origin 2024: Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga battle for the fullback position

Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga have six weeks to show Queensland coach Billy Slater they deserve the Maroons fullback jersey. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga will duke it out for the fullback role. Picture: Supplied

Queensland coach Billy Slater has declared Reece Walsh can go to another level in this year’s Origin series as the Broncos superstar braces for a six-week shootout with Kalyn Ponga for the fullback spot.

Having overcome his concussion dramas, Ponga has made himself available for selection for the 2024 Origin campaign, putting the Knights champion on a collision course with Walsh for the Queensland No. 1 jumper.

Ponga’s scratching for last year’s series opened the door for Walsh, who was magnificent in the opening two games, clinching the series before missing the dead rubber in Origin III due to suspension.

Queensland selectors face an agonising decision at fullback. Do they keep faith in Broncos grand-final fullback Walsh, or revert to 2022 incumbent Ponga, who stormed to last year’s Dally M Medal after sitting out the Origin series.

While Slater hasn’t ruled out picking both men in his 17-man squad, the next six games will determine whether Walsh or Ponga clinches the No. 1 jumper for the series opener in Sydney on June 5.

“At the end of the day, their actions will determine the decision,” Slater said of the Walsh-Ponga backfield battle at the NRL’s official series launch in Melbourne on Monday.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in a month’s time. There’s still six games to be played and we’ve already had some cards taken off the table for us that were out of our control in regards to injuries.

“Reece and Kalyn are in control of where they are and where they are going with their careers and their performances.

“If you ask those guys, they would love nothing more than to be teammates and that’s a possibility as well.

“It’s my job to watch and assess over the next six weeks.”

AJ Brimson is technically the fullback incumbent after playing Origin III last year, but Slater has not forgotten Walsh’s brilliance in the opening two games that fired the Maroons to an unassailable 2-0 lead.

While the 26-year-old Ponga is more experienced than Walsh, Slater believes the Broncos fullback is only scratching the surface of his talent as ‘Reece Lightning’ looks to inflict more misery on the Blues this season.

Reece Walsh fired up the Maroons. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

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

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

“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 shown 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.

“For Reece to have that mindset, the Broncos are extremely fortunate.

“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 and I expect that to continue.”

Ponga stood down from last year’s series after consulting Slater, who revealed he has been in fresh discussions with the Newcastle skipper about his importance to Queensland’s hopes this season.

Kalyn Ponga has been in touch with Billy Slater. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I’ve spoken to Kalyn this year,” he said.

“I’ve touched base with Kalyn and a few guys, I haven’t dived too deep with anyone just yet, but I’m in constant communication with players and Kalyn is one of them.

“He was really important for us and one of our most influential players in 2022, but there were circumstances that were out of everyone’s control and he was unavailable last year.

“He finished off the year really well once he got himself nice and fit and back to his best.”

Asked if Walsh and Ponga could be in the same side, Slater said: “I’m not one to go by the textbook. If it suits the team and it suits the way we want to play, we are open to that.

“It’s got to work, though. You have to be realistic in that situation as well.

“We will build our team in 40 days, but at the moment, it’s important all our guys build good habits so when they are under pressure in an Origin situation, they revert back to those habits they form.”