Broncos cut-price superstar Reece Walsh set to become NRL’s next $1 million player

Whiz kid Reece Walsh is one of the NRL’s lowest-paid superstar — but that will soon change as Brisbane bosses prepare to more than double his salary in a huge boost for Broncos supporters.

Reece Walsh is keen to sign a new deal with the Broncos. Picture: Josh Woning

Reece Walsh has uttered the words every Brisbane fan wants to hear, outlining his plan to stay loyal to the Broncos and become the NRL’s next $1 million player.

Walsh walked out on the Broncos just 18 months ago but he insists there will be no second Red Hill defection ahead of Saturday night’s preliminary final blockbuster against former club the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos whiz kid will go into the grand-final qualifier as one of the NRL’s lowest-paid superstars on $400,000 this season, but that will soon change as Brisbane bosses prepare to more than double his salary.

Broncos officialdom have kicked off preliminary talks with Walsh and fellow young gun Ezra Mam with a view to securing Brisbane’s wonder boys to major upgraded deals after this year’s finals series.

While Walsh is contracted to the Broncos for another two seasons, Brisbane are taking no risks after the retention blunder last year that saw the club blindsided by a big-money poaching raid from the Warriors.

This time, the Broncos will move pro-actively to scupper any threat of a bidding war. Walsh confirmed he has no desire to head to free agency next year as he looks to snap Brisbane’s 17-year title drought, starting by eliminating the Warriors on Saturday night.

Reece Walsh hopes to stay with the Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

Asked if he wants to sign a new deal with the Broncos in coming weeks, Walsh said: “For sure.

“Coming back here and being around the facilities and the people and having my family close, I want to be here for a long time.

“I still have a couple more years on my contract, so right now my main priority is footy and ending the season right.”

There are currently 12 players in the NRL on $1 million-plus deals. They include David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Mitchell Moses, Addin Fonua-Blake, James Tedesco, Ben Hunt, Tom Trbojevic, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster.

Penrith maestro Nathan Cleary is the code’s second highest paid player on $1.3 million, while Newcastle’s Queensland Origin star Kalyn Ponga is the NRL’s financial top dog at $1.4 million.

But Walsh, who unseated Ponga as Queensland’s fullback this year, is poised to enter the NRL’s millionaire’s row.

A $1 million deal would represent a 150 per cent pay rise for Walsh and many would argue it’s thoroughly deserved after a sizzling maiden season at Red Hill that has transformed Brisbane into title contenders.

Anthony Milford became the first $1 million player in Broncos history in 2017. Superstar prop Payne Haas’ recent upgrade will see him become Brisbane’s first $1 million forward in 2024 and Walsh is hurtling toward the seven-figure stratosphere.

The 21-year-old could probably command more on the open market, but Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds believes Walsh and his halves partner Mam will be Broncos for life.

“It’s extremely important for the club to keep both Reece and Ezra,” Reynolds said.

Reece Walsh is a fan favourite at the Broncos. Picture: Josh Woning

“I know there will be interest from everywhere and the boys are playing well, so it presents a good opportunity for other clubs to get in and steal them.

“But with how tight the group is here at the Broncos, I’m sure that has a major impact on Reece and Ezra staying long term, not only the next few years but their entire careers.

“I’m confident Reece and Ezra will be Broncos for life.”

Walsh was a baby-faced 13-year-old when he watched Brisbane suffer a heartbreaking grand-final loss in the 2015 decider against the Cowboys.

The Nerang Roosters junior was about to enter the Broncos Academy and the gut-wrenching disappointment that permeated the entire club is driving Walsh to deliver Brisbane’s seventh premiership.

He has no recollection of Broncos legend Darren Lockyer lifting the NRL trophy in 2006. Walsh had barely turned four. It’s why he is hungry to spearhead a new Red Hill dynasty.

“It would be awesome to win the comp,” he said.

“In 2015 I still remember where I was watching the grand final and seeing the Broncs run out.

“To be in the position we are ... we have got to get through this game first but that (a premiership) is what we have got our focus on.

“If we do get through it will be something special but right now we have to focus on the Warriors and getting the job done.”

Originally published as Broncos cut-price superstar Reece Walsh set to become NRL’s next $1 million player