NRL 2024: Reece Walsh reveals how daughter Leila was a key factor in his decision to ink mega contract extension at Broncos
She’s the adorable little pocket rocket who played the biggest role in Reece Walsh’s decision to ink the richest deal in Broncos history. Now committed to Brisbane, Walsh reveals the influence daughter Leila had on his choice.
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She is the tiny pocket rocket who inspired Reece Walsh’s decision to ink the richest deal in Broncos history.
Fresh from signing a mega four-year extension to stay at the Broncos until the end of 2029, Walsh revealed how his three-year-old daughter Leila was a key factor in his decision to remain in Brisbane.
Little Leila is never far from the action, whether it’s near the sidelines at Broncos or State of Origin games or at Red Hill headquarters on Thursday to watch her famous father put pen to paper in a $5 million contract coup.
Walsh could have gone to free agency from Friday and sparked a bidding frenzy among NRL rivals, but the 22-year-old says family was a decisive factor in agreeing terms on a four-year extension.
Walsh last year shed tears at a press conference as he spoke of Leila’s influence on his life and he said his daughter is a driving force in his quest for greatness in rugby league.
“I’m playing for more than just myself,” said Walsh, who celebrated his new Broncos deal with Leila on his shoulders.
“Having my family close means a lot and my little daughter plays a massive role in why I do what I do.
“I’m doing this for her.
“Knowing I will be close to her for the next four to five years, that makes it easier for me to be able to focus on footy, work hard and put all my eggs into the right basket.”
Having signed his new deal, Walsh’s bond with Leila is forever etched in ink of another kind.
Last year, the Warriors gave Walsh a release on compassionate grounds to abort his move to New Zealand and live in Brisbane to be close to his daughter.
Upon his arrival at the Broncos, the Queensland Origin fullback had two tattoos inked onto his arm and leg.
“They represent my young daughter,” he told this masthead.
“I got her name on my arm, I got a clock for the time she was born and the tattoo on my leg is one of a lion and a lion cub.
“That represents me looking after my daughter, so that’s what it means.
“I love being a dad.”
Walsh says he has come to terms with the pressures of NRL stardom and wants to repay Broncos fans with Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.
“I want to be someone who works hard, someone who brings success, someone who helps bring premierships to this great club,” he said.
“As a player you want to win and being a part of the Broncos that is expected, it’s a massive club with a huge membership and fan base, so you’re playing for more than just yourself.
“You don’t win by not working hard. I am not complacent.
“I feel like I can only control what I can control and that’s to play good footy and work hard.
“If I can focus on being a good person off the field, a good role model for my daughter and a caring dad, the rest will take care of itself.”
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Reece Walsh reveals how daughter Leila was a key factor in his decision to ink mega contract extension at Broncos
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