NRL 2021: Nathan Brown on unique handling of Reece Walsh’s cocaine bust

The Warriors took an unconventional step in the immediate wake of Reece Walsh’s cocaine bust. Coach Nathan Brown reveals why the club made its young star front the cameras.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA – JULY 02: Nathan Brown coach of the Warriors during the post match interview during the round 16 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Central Coast Stadium, on July 02, 2021, in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

After bursting onto the NRL scene and rocketing into Origin contention in his rookie year, Walsh landed himself in hot water after he was charged with possessing cocaine and contravening a move-on order at Surfers Paradise on September 25.

The Warriors took the unconventional step of letting the 19-year front the media immediately in the aftermath of the incident.

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“Some people might not have agreed with us. We as club believed that was the best path. But we’ve all been at clubs over the years where things get covered over and players aren’t held accountable and those players don’t change their behaviour. We felt that it would help Reece to not find himself in a similar situation again,” Brown said.

“He’s a young kid that got himself into a little bit of strife. I won’t say what my first words were to Reece but I’m always there to support him. He accepted responsibility and owned up to it.”

New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George (middle) and fullback Reece Walsh (R) front the media.

MULTIPLE TRANSFER OPTIONS

Warriors coach Nathan Brown believes there is no ‘perfect’ transfer system but is open to the possibility of the NRL introducing a trade window.

Under the current model players can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 the year before their contract ends.

But a number of controversial signings, such as Brandon Smith’s move to the Roosters and Viliame Kikau’s switch to Canterbury, have raised the ire of fans who want to see the system changed.

“I’m not sure what the perfect answer is, or whether there is an answer that will please everyone. If we go down that path we do need a number of trade windows, we don’t just need one — a trade window in October isn’t enough. Rugby league has become somewhat transient, I think we need a system that takes that into account,” Brown said.

Warriors Head Coach Nathan Brown. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Brown believes even in the trade window model, clubs need to be able to move players between rosters.

The Warriors have been part of numerous loan deals over the past two seasons as a result of the Covid disruptions and biosecurity measures.

“We’ve had experienced sides making decisions in the two years that have not only helped clubs but helped careers … sometimes being able to move players not only helps the player but both clubs as well. I don’t believe one window is the right answer, if we do have a trade window system we certainly need a number of them.”

Under the November 1 system the Warriors have netted two of the game’s brightest prospects in Parramatta’s Marata Niukore and Cronulla’s Luke Metcalf for season 2023.

The Warriors are happy to bring Marata Niukore back home to Auckland. Picture: NRL Photos

HARDENED NIUKORE

Niukore will join the Warriors on a four-year deal in 2023. Brown is aware Niukore’s final season at the Eels under coach Brad Arthur will help ensure the rising forward arrives in Auckland as a ‘hardened professional’

“He’s at a really good age now, he understands what first grade football is about. He’s got good leg speed and he is nice and aggressive,” Brown said.

“He’s also from Auckland, we can’t have all the good kids from Auckland playing for the Warriors but he is one who happens to play in a position we need to strengthen.

“Marata ticked a lot of boxes this year and I‘m sure he’ll have another good season with Parramatta in 2022. He’ll come to us as a good hardened pro that knows his way around the field.”

MATURING METCALF

Brown is hoping Metcalf, who has joined on a two-year deal, can play plenty of minutes for the Sharks in season 2022 to help develop the young playmaker’s game. Metcalf, 22, is viewed as long-term option in the halves.

“He’s got great speed and he’s got some attributes that you can’t teach, he can beat people and break tackles. It’s a real highlight of his game,” Brown said.

“We’ve done a lot of homework on him and he’s a really good kid who loves training.

“He’s been in the system at Manly then Cronulla where he’ll be under Craig Fitzgibbon which should be good for him. He might come to us young in terms of game experience but he’ll be mature in terms of his training experience.”

Brown has revealed why he brought Ash Taylor to the club. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

MALIGNED TAYLOR

The Warriors have handed former Gold Coast halfback Ash Taylor a train-and-trial deal but Brown is confident the maligned playmaker will add some much needed experience in his side’s spine.

“Ash is very good natural kicker of the ball. Our halves were an area we where we didn’t have a lot experience, there is a lot of youth there. Our fullback (Reece Walsh) is very young. Wayde Egan has had his first starting season as a hooker. Chanel (Harris-Tavita) is only a young half, so we lack some experience there,” Brown said.

Taylor’s time with the Titans was dotted with controversy, injury and lack of on-field consistency.

Brown believes Taylor can resurrect his NRL career at the Warriors given the $1 million per season price tag will no longer be hanging over the 26-year old’s head.

“We felt after talking to a number of people about Ash, a change is what he needed. He’s been very consistent in his first weeks of training, he has fit in very well,” Brown said.

“There have been a lot of players in the last 10 years that have been rewarded with a high contract, like Ash, which for whatever reason have not been able to play to the level they liked.

“Ash has come to us without everyone talking about what his earning, but come to us to play footy.

“The less financial pressure and burden of being a mullion dollar player would benefit Ash.”

Shaun Johnson is back at the Warriors. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

JOHNSON IS BACK

After a three-year stint at Cronulla, Johnson returns to the club where he forged a reputation as one of the game’s most naturally gifted players. This time around Brown is charging the halfback with the responsibility of steering the Warriors around the field.

“He’s obviously going to be playing a huge part in controlling things for us on the football field with his experience,” Brown said.

“I suppose he is a different type of player to the young guy who started his career at the Warriors many years ago.

“He’s probably not as quick and as flamboyant as he once was but he certainly, for me, seems to see the game better and control the game better. They are the things we signed Shaun for, he will help our football team improve in those areas.”

AGGRESSIVE LODGE

Controversial prop Matt Lodge was fined $5000 for flipping the bird at fans as he was sent to the sin-bin in the Warriors’ last game of season 2021. Brown doesn’t want Lodge to lose any of his aggression on the field but rather ‘temper’ his emotions.

“You don’t need your front rowers to be quiet boys that’s for sure,” Brown said.

“They have got to want to take the physical challenge up to the opposition. Our game today has changed with what you can and can’t do on the field for obvious reasons.

“Front row it’s a physical position and sometimes it gets heated. Some front rowers have a bit of an edge to them and we need that. It’s about making sure temper that the best way they can.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Nathan Brown on unique handling of Reece Walsh’s cocaine bust