State of Origin Game 2 team news: QLD Maroons star Reece Walsh mobbed by fans in Toowoomba

Queensland star Reece Walsh has revealed the sight of his sickening concussion in Sydney “upset” his daughter, as the Maroons golden boy was mobbed at the Toowoomba fan day.

Rockstar Reece is back with a bang.

Queensland star Reece Walsh suffered a sickening concussion in Origin I and he admits the sight of his eyes rolling in the back of his head was a worrying sight for his No.1 fan, his young daughter Leila.

But almost a fortnight on from being knocked senseless in the series opener, Walsh was back in business and welcomed like NRL royalty in Toowoomba on Tuesday.

Cleared of concussion for Origin II on Wednesday week at the MCG, Walsh had Maroons supporters in raptures as the Queensland team rolled into Toowoomba for their annual fan day.

Walsh was the king of the Garden City, earning raucous applause every time he touched the ball at Toowoomba Sports Ground.

It was like a public holiday for the folk of Toowoomba with local kids skipping school as a crowd o

There was no bigger hero than Walsh.

The Toowoomba locals cheered his every touch and Walsh waved to the crowd regularly with a smile that suggested he was not only revelling in the attention, but primed to terrorise the Blues in Game Two.

When Walsh headed for photos and autographs after training had ended, the Maroons throng exploded, screaming, “Reece, Reece, sign this” as thousands of young fans stuck out caps and jerseys.

It was magical mayhem. Walsh is a living, breathing billboard for the NRL.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys should make the Broncos whizkid the face of the NRL.

“It is good to get out here to Toowoomba and see all the Queenslanders support us,” Walsh said.

“It brings a smile to my face and makes you grateful for what we do.

“We touch on who we do it for in the whole week (of preparation).

“It is credit to the five-and-a-half million Queenslanders that support their rugby league team.”

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been in the NRL industry for 13 years and says he has never seen such adulation for a rugby league player.

“When I first got into the Origin side, probably Billy Slater, ‘JT’ (Johnathan Thurston) and Greg Inglis were as big as I had come across,” Cherry-Evans said.

“They were as close to league rockstars as I had seen, but I would say Reece has now surpassed that level of fame.

“I don’t know what that all means. I’m sure it just means he is super busy and gets a lot of attention.

“He gets a lot of love from the fans, which is a really important part of your career, is understanding and appreciating the love and support that comes from the crowd.

“We play for a lot of individual purposes and goals, but there is a part of every player that enjoys playing for the fans and Reece is no different.

“It’s great to see how he connects with the fans.”

The 21-year-old Walsh lasted just seven minutes of Origin I after copping a brutal high shot from NSW rival Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was sent off and copped a four-match suspension.

Walsh’s daughter is often seen in the stands at Broncos and Queensland games and the Maroons young gun revealed three-year-old Leila was shaken by the incident.

“She just wishes me all the best and says, ‘I hope you score a try for me and make some good tackles’,” he said.

“She is always there for me.

“I think she was a bit upset when she saw me on the floor but hopefully she doesn’t remember it when she gets older.”