‘Offered double’: Reece Walsh Dolphins deal killed by ‘bad blood’

Reece Walsh could have doubled his money with the Dolphins if the water hadn’t already been muddied by a series of exits.

Brisbane star Selwyn Cobbo has a word with Reece Walsh after their clash with the Warriors during the 2021 NRL season. Credit: NRL Images.

It has been revealed the Dolphins offered Reece Walsh double what he signed for to return to the Broncos as he was caught up in a power play between the two clubs and the Warriors.

Walsh was released by the Warriors due to personal reasons that required him to remain in Brisbane to be near his family, but he chose to return to the Broncos, which cost him lucrative offer from the NRL’s expansion side.

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James Graham believes Walsh was used as a pawn in the battle between the Broncos and Dolphins for supremacy in Brisbane.

“I like it in that they have said if you need to be in Brisbane you can’t go and negotiate with a Sydney club, but I think they are using Reece Walsh to get one over the Dolphins and I don’t think that is fair,” Graham said on Triple M.

“Why should Reece Walsh be used in that game. That’s not fair on a young footballer.”

Reece Walsh will rejoin the Broncos next season.

Ben Dobbin revealed Walsh was only allowed to sign with the Broncos due to the bad blood between Dolphins’ recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan and his former employer the Warriors.

“The elephant in the room is Peter O’Sullivan because he was the recruitment manager there,” Dobbin said.

“His son is Sean O’Sullivan and his son-in-law is Matt Lodge. All three aren’t at the Warriors.

“There has obviously been some bad blood there and the falling out from there has been that.”

However, Gorden Tallis questioned if Walsh even wanted to go to the NRL’s new team.

“But who said Reece Walsh wants to go to the Dolphins?” Tallis said.

Dobbin revealed Walsh missed out on a lucrative payday by returning to the Broncos.

“He was offered double the amount of money to go to the Dolphins,” Dobbin said.

“The Dolphins had an offer on the table that was $700,000 and the Broncos had $350,000.”

Reece Walsh is back to Brisbane. Picture: NRL Photos

Tallis believes the Dolphins need to prioritise building the rest of their team with players who can become great players rather than chasing marquee signings.

“They have gone after big fish,” Tallis said.

“What’s wrong with going after Braydon Trindall?

“When they are doing the roster they are trying to get the big fish and no one wants to go.”

Dobbin protested the Dolphins need at least a couple of marquee signings.

“You need a couple of big fish,” Dobbin said.

“You can’t have all big fish, but you need a couple. I like their forward pack.”

However Tallis believes the Dolphins need to lower their sights to fill the final 10 places in their roster.

“Not every club needs a big fish,” Tallis said.

“They can go and get somebody else. The Bulldogs went out and got Burton. Why don’t they do that?

“That’s all I’m asking. You can build a roster like that.”

Originally published as ‘Offered double’: Reece Walsh Dolphins deal killed by ‘bad blood’