Broncos cull, player swap in wild fallout to Reece Walsh’s Warriors departure

Star fullback Reece Walsh’s move to the Broncos has triggered a series of shock developments with reports of bad blood and roster shake-ups.

Reece Walsh triggere chaos. NRL Photos

Reece Walsh’s bombshell move to the Broncos has been confirmed and it has sent shockwaves across the competition.

It was first revealed on Tuesday night Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has signed with the Warriors after the New Zealand club granted Walsh a release on compassionate grounds.

Walsh had a further two-seasons to go on his contract. The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday Walsh has been granted a “conditional” release that locks out every other club from signing Walsh — other than the Broncos.

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The Courier-Mail first reported Walsh has agreed to a three-year-deal with the Broncos. The signature has sent ripples across the game with several big developments, including:

— Revelations there is “bad blood” between the Warriors and Dolphins, according to Phil Rothfield. The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie also told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday the Warriors were “upset” at Wayne Bennett’s public comments about chasing Walsh’s signature. It is why the club only granted Walsh a conditional release that prohibits a move to the Dolphins.

Reece Walsh of the Warriors. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

— Warriors CEO Cameron George saying the club is exploring a player trade with the Broncos.

— The Broncos facing a potential roster cull to sneak Walsh under their salary cap. The Courier-Mail reports Ryan James (retirement), David Mead (retirement), Brenko Lee (Dolphins), Rhys Kennedy (Super League), and out of contract hooker Jake Turpin are all set to leave the club. The Broncos also have Te Maire Martin, Albert Kelly and Corey Oates out of contract at the end of 2022.

— Nicoll-Klokstad signing a three-year-deal with the Warriors.

George said on Wednesday: “There’s discussions with the Broncos about alternatives as well in terms of potentially other players that they’ve got that we can look at in with the release of Reece Walsh.

“There has been a major change in Reece’s personal circumstances in the past two months which have impacted on his ability to move to Auckland with the club next season.”“We’re working through his situation and have given him permission, with some conditions, to look at options in Brisbane. It’s not the way either Reece or the club had wanted this to play out but we respect the issues he has.”

It is a huge backflip from Walsh, who rejected reports in May saying he was going to leave the club at the end of the year.

“At first I sort of laughed about it and would ask the boys, ‘where do you think they get this information from?’ because it definitely isn’t coming from me or my management or my family,” he said.

“After a while, it became too much, there were questions from my teammates.

“It’s got to the point where it’s worth addressing because it’s spiralling out of control.

“It’s not fair on my teammates or the club that they think I am wanting to go elsewhere. It’s not the case. We haven’t spoken to any other clubs.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is set to replace Walsh. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I have a contract in place which means I am 100 per cent going to New Zealand next year.”

The Warriors viewed Walsh as their long-term replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who quit league for rugby last season.

The 19-year-old Walsh has hit the ground running, proving to be one of the most exciting young stars in the competition.

It is another bitter blow for the Dolphins.

Walsh has long been linked to an early exit from New Zealand and potential move to be a marquee player for the Dolphins.

The move also raises questions over Selwyn Cobbo, the young Origin winger who is expected to become a fullback in the future.

What will it mean for Selwyn Cobbo? Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Kent said there was potential Walsh could move into the No. 6 jersey.

“All the good fullbacks started as wingers at some points, Anthony Minichello, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,” Kent said.

“They haven’t bought these two quality players to play the same position, there will be a plan there, certainly the Broncos will have a plan.

“This all fresh, so we are still digesting it, but the Broncos are not spending top dollar to get two blokes and let them fight it out.”