Traffic controllers, security called in as fans swarm Broncos training
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has seen plenty over the course of his time in rugby league - but he has never seen a player as adored as his livewire fullback Reece Walsh.
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Bronco-mania has officially taken over Brisbane with Reece Walsh gaining rock star status ahead of his NRL grand final debut.
Thousands of fans descended on Red Hill on Monday morning as the Broncos kicked off grand final week in style.
Traffic controllers were called in and security beefed up in scenes coach Kevin Walters – a five-time premiership-winner with the Broncos – admits he has never seen before.
The Broncos spent an hour signing autographs and taking selfies in a morale-boosting morning ahead of Sunday’s NRL premiership-decider against Penrith at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
They had a light run on Monday and will ramp up training at a closed session at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday before flying to Sydney on Wednesday to attend the Dally M Awards.
The Broncos will finetune their preparations in Wests Tigers’ territory on Thursday before a final captain’s run at Accor on Saturday.
Walters said it was an exciting way to start the week as the Broncos look to win their first NRL title since 2006.
“It’s a great feeling knowing you’re in a grand final and this is all part of it,” Walters said as he prepares for his first grand final as a coach.
“This is part of giving back to our fans, supporters and sponsors. Tomorrow we go to work.
“We’ve reviewed the game from the weekend and tomorrow we start on Penrith.
“This is all part of it. It’s good for our players to see and understand how much Sunday’s result means to Broncos people.”
While the fans went crazy for skipper Adam Reynolds, Queensland star Pat Carrigan and rising five-eighth Ezra Man, the loudest cheers were reserved for Walsh.
With a personal security guard following his every move, and fans screaming his name, Walsh looked more like a pop star than rugby league fullback.
Walsh, 21, has taken NRL superstardom to another level in his return to Brisbane from the Warriors this year and Walters said he hadn’t seen a player so loved.
“I haven’t, it’s quite incredible with his fans and popularity,” he said.
“This is great for Reece today but he also needs to focus when we start training and doing a good job there and playing well for us on Sunday.
“That’s the big one for him.”
Walsh has had a year to remember, making his State of Origin debut for Queensland and qualifying for his first NRL grand final.
And the fan favourite said he didn’t want the season to end.
“It’s pretty crazy, I’ve been in Origin camps but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Walsh said.
“That’s a credit to the city we’re in, the people we are representing and it shows it’s more than just a game of rugby league.
“It’s going to be exciting. I’m a bit disappointed it’s the last game, I wish I could keep playing on, but we have one more job to do.
“I am keen and excited to get out there and step on the big stage, these are the games you want to be a part of and for us to be here doing it now, it’s exciting, I’m excited.”
Broncos fans have embraced Reynolds since he joined the club from South Sydney heading into the 2022 season.
Reynolds said the fan day reminded him of the Rabbitohs’ support on their way to winning the 2014 grand final.
“It’s crazy. It brings back a lot of memories for me from our fan day at South Sydney in 2014,” he said.
“There were some great memories and hopefully I can replicate that and get that premiership win for us, the Broncos fans and the city of Brisbane.”
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