‘Absolute genius’: Reece Walsh blows NRL away in epic fullback battle

Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has shown skills well beyond his years once again, claiming an epic personal win over Souths’ Latrell Mitchell.

Reece Walsh has lit up Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Getty Images

Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has claimed victory in the NRL’s battle of the fullbacks, putting in a starring performance in his side’s 28-18 victory over Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney Rabbitohs.

In his third season in the top grade, it’s hard to remember Walsh is still only 21 as he put in a starring performance as the Broncos opened their account for 2024.

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Coming off a loss to the Roosters in Vegas, both teams were desperate to get off the mark but it was the 2023 runners up who hit the ground running.

And it was largely thanks to Walsh.

The electric fullback, donning his bright pink boots, stepped up against the Rabbitohs, scoring two brilliant tries and looking a threat any time he touched the ball.

While there are still plenty of questions about Walsh’s defence, there is no doubting his work in attack.

Walsh was at his electrifying best against the Rabbitohs.

The 21-year-old scored a try in each half, both certain to make highlight reels.

With 15 minutes left in the first half, Walsh caught the ball first off the play-the-ball on the right but ran straight back to the right, running around the middle defence, palming off Cameron Murray and going straight past Latrell to score under the posts.

“Reece Walsh, creating something out of nothing — and his something is always very very good,” Warren Smith said in Fox League commentary.

Michael Ennis said: “It’s genius. Absolute genius. And he’s the reason there’s 40,000 there tonight.”

On Channel 9, Paul Vautin called Walsh an “Olympic-class” star after the try.

Walsh’s first try was electrifying. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Broncos held a 12-0 lead at the break but the Rabbitohs erased that almost immediately in the second half.

After edging back ahead, the game was still in the balance with 17 minutes left in the match, until Walsh put his stamp on the game.

On the last tackle well inside their own end, Walsh got the ball, running to the left rather than kicking.

After putting the ball through the hands to find Jesse Arthars, a kick back to the centre, which had a horrible bounce to beat Mitchell saw the ball sit up perfectly as Walsh put a cherry on top of the game.

“Yes, Reece Walsh again is there for the Broncos,” Smith added. “The 21-year-old superstar makes it a handy lead for Brisbane.”

Ennis added: “Everything that has happened good tonight for brisbane has happened around this whiz kid.”

He added that it was Walsh’s speed that set up the play and had the Rabbitohs back-pedalling.

Although Latrell ran 18 times for 171m compared to Walsh’s 15 runs for 126m, the Broncos fullback made the most of the chances he had.

Reece Walsh had a brilliant performance. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Football commentator Will Gotsis tweeted: “I’ll tell you this much. Billy Slater revolutionised the FB Role, and didn’t think I’d see another FB like him, but man, Reece Walsh at 21, my goodness. Broncos fans you are blessed to have him in your team. Talk about special.”

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould said simply: “Reece Walsh …”

Hull FC Super League player Joe Cator wrote: “Reece Walsh is stupidly good.”

Fan Cam Sanchez commented: “The work off the ball by Reece Walsh is schooling Latrell here. You’ve got to be more than a highlight reel guy, and Walsh is far more than that. His efforts in chasing everything even the 1 per cent plays is the difference in this game.”

Mitchell got one back on Walsh just before full-time however, wrong-footing the youngster and beating him to the line.

The No. 1s shared a sweet moment on the ground as both began to cramp.

“I was sitting down watching his highlights as a kid, I was a little starstruck on the field at the end there — didn’t know if I should let him run or tackle him,” Walsh told ABC.

It wasn’t all good however as Walsh stepped up after Adam Reynolds limped off with a knee injury 10 minutes from full-time.

The Courier Mail reports Reynolds is “likely to have scans on Friday”.