NRL 2023: Reece Walsh rejected Dolphins’ millions to chase a title at Brisbane Broncos

As Reece Walsh prepares to break the heart of the Warriors club he once called home, this masthead can reveal the Broncos star’s ambition to smash Brisbane’s premiership drought cost him a life-changing payday.

Reece Walsh.

Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh gave up $1 million by quitting the Warriors and rejecting a mega deal from Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins in his desire to win a premiership at the Broncos.

This masthead can reveal Walsh’s extraordinary financial sacrifice as the flying fullback prepares to break the heart of the Warriors club he once called home in Saturday night’s preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.

Walsh dropped a bombshell on the Warriors 14 months ago when he requested an early release from his three-year deal to avoid moving to New Zealand and staying in Australia for family reasons.

The Warriors refused to play hardball, paving the way for Walsh’s sizzling campaign at the Broncos that could see him deliver a knockout blow to his former club and propel Brisbane to their first grand final since 2015.

Walsh’s ambition to smash Brisbane’s 17-year premiership drought has cost him a life-changing payday.

Contrary to reports the Warriors blocked the Dolphins making a play for Walsh, Bennett’s new franchise discussed a three-year, $2.4 million deal worth at least $800,000 a season.

Reece Walsh sacrificed millions to join Brisbane from the Warriors.

But Walsh was so determined to return to Red Hill he inked a three-year deal worth between $1.3-1.4 million, with Dolphins recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan confirming for the first time the club’s massive play for the young gun.

“We were definitely keen to get him to the Dolphins,” said O’Sullivan, who was at the Warriors when he first poached Walsh from the Broncos in 2021.

“If Reece came to us, he would have earned double what he went to the Broncos for.

“We did make an offer - I would have walked over broken glass to get him.

“He is a great player, but the Warriors did a transfer deal by swapping Reece Walsh and Te Maire Martin (former Broncos playmaker).

“I can’t bag either club for that, it’s business in the NRL and it’s worked out well for the Broncos and the Warriors.

“But I understood why he wanted go back to the Broncos and it’s great to see Reece doing well there.”

Just two years ago, Walsh was wearing the Warriors No.1 jumper in a 24-22 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Now, the 21-year-old is Brisbane’s danger man primed to destroy the Warriors’ title dream after a glorious 2023 campaign that has netted nine tries, 22 try assists, 18 line breaks and 113 tackle busts.

Walsh insists there is no bad blood for walking out on the Warriors as he looks to deliver Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

“I don’t regret it but it was hard to leave,” he said.

“They gave me an opportunity in the NRL and as a kid all I wanted to do was play NRL.

“The Warriors gave that to me and they will always hold a soft spot in my heart.

“It would be awesome (to win this year’s premiership).

“In 2015 I still remember where I was watching the grand final (Brisbane’s loss to the Cowboys) and seeing the Broncs run out.

“This is exciting for the club. It has been a long time since we’ve had a prelim at Suncorp and I am going up against my old club as well.

“It we do get through (to the grand final) it will be something special ... I am excited for the challenge.”

Warriors chief executive Cameron George slammed rumours the club banned the Dolphins from signing Walsh as part of release terms.

“There is no way, shape or form this club put a stipulation about Reece going to the Broncos only,” he said.

“When he wanted a release, I said, ‘You aren’t going to Sydney or Melbourne’.

“I expected Reece to choose the Dolphins to be honest, but he said, ‘I want to go back to the Broncos’.

“If anything, we should have helped the Dolphins because we stayed at their facility during Covid.

Reece Walsh prepares to take on the Warriors in the preliminary final. Picture: Adam Head

“We didn’t have an issue with Peter O’Sullivan or the Dolphins, that’s not true.

“The kid simply loved the Broncos and wanted to go back there.”

One of Walsh’s most trusted figures at the Broncos, lock Pat Carrigan, isn’t surprised the Queensland Origin star chose Brisbane over the Dolphins’ dollars.

“When we lived together, I always knew this place was in his heart,” Carrigan said.

“We’re pretty similar. I see a lot of myself in him. We always wanted to represent the Broncos.

“I’m not surprised he’s back, but I know the Warriors hold a special place in his heart, too.

“The time and effort they put into him to develop him as not only a footy player, but also taking on him and his family when he had a young daughter was special, too.

“What the Warriors did for him will mean they hold a special place in his heart ... (but) he belongs here.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Reece Walsh rejected Dolphins’ millions to chase a title at Brisbane Broncos