NRL 2021: Reece Walsh arrested on Gold Coast, reveals he used cocaine

Reece Walsh and the Warriors deserve to be commended for how they handled a damaging weekend. But the rising star’s most important battle is still to come, writes BRENT READ.

Warriors star Reece Walsh has found himself in hot water. Picture: NRL Photos

The real test for the Warriors and Reece Walsh isn’t what happened on Sunday. It’s what comes next. How he and the Warriors respond to a damaging weekend for both club and code.

The Warriors and Walsh deserve immense praise for fronting up after their teenage superstar was caught by police in possession of cocaine.

Walsh choked back tears as he spoke about the night in question and the people he had let down. Sponsors, fans, his teammates. They all got a mention.

But the person he has let down most is himself. Walsh knows better than many the damage that can take place when you allow drugs into your life.

He has openly spoken in the past of his own mother’s battle, that meant she played a minor part in his upbringing.

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Reece Walsh has plenty to consider in the off-season ahead.

He vowed never to touch drugs only a matter of months ago in an interview with News Corp. Now he finds his own career on the brink after failing to heed his own warnings.

Walsh will likely have one strike against his name and another will lead to an immediate 12-game suspension. It would also give the Warriors the right to tear up his contract.

There will be monetary fines, not to mention the personal cost to his reputation. Some will point to his age as an excuse, but Walsh isn’t your average 19-year-old.

Not when you consider what he has been through to get to where he is – in possession of a million-dollar contract and on the verge of stardom.

He needs to win back trust and earn respect. It won’t be easy. Walsh had the potential to become the face of the game. Good looking, well spoken and with an ability to make the football sing.

He has an inspiring backstory, having overcome a difficult childhood to become a rugby league star. He backed all that up with the sort of talent that had him on the verge of a State of Origin debut earlier this year.

He played without fear. Rugby league fans loved him. Kids wanted to be him. At least they did.

CONFRONTING INTERVIEW HAUNTS STAR AFTER COCAINE BUST

By Brent Read, Peter Badel, Josh Hanrahan, Russell Jackson and Thomas Chamberlin

An emotional Reece Walsh has told Warriors officials he does not have a drug problem but the teenage sensation will begin immediate counselling after being caught by police with a bag of cocaine during post-season celebrations on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Walsh fronted the media alongside Warriors chief executive Cameron George and his manager Nash Dawson on Sunday afternoon, only hours after he was arrested and found to be in possession of cocaine during a police search.

He has been charged with one count of possession of a prohibited substance and will appear in court next month. In the meantime, the Warriors superstar has begun the process of rebuilding his shattered reputation by apologising to fans and sponsors of both his club and the game.

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“Last night I got myself into a bit of trouble,” Walsh said.

“I was asked by some officers to move on and I didn’t move on. That led to me getting arrested and taken back to the police station.

“Once I got back to the police station I got searched and I was in possession of a small bag of cocaine – which I had some during the night.

“No-one else is involved in this. It is solely on me. I put my hand up – I should never have done it. It is a mistake I made.

Reece Walsh is confronted by police. Picture: Supplied

Police escorting Reece Walsh away. Picture: Supplied

“I am aware of that and I am really remorseful. I want to say sorry to sponsors, fans, the Warriors.”

George confirmed that Walsh would begin drug and alcohol counselling on Monday and would face further sanctions from the club and potentially the NRL, who have begun their own inquiries into the incident.

Walsh will also likely have one strike against his name under the code’s illicit testing policy, meaning he would face an immediate suspension of up to 12 matches should he fail a drug test or be caught again in possession.

The dramatic news came as the NRL prepared to ramp up their celebrations of grand final week by holding the Dally M Awards on Monday night.

Walsh was set to be one of the featured guests given he was in contention to win the rookie of the year award – he won the corresponding award from the Rugby League Players Association last weekend.

Warriors star Reece Walsh has found himself in hot water. Picture: NRL Photos

George confirmed Walsh would no longer be attending the awards ceremony after an incident that has tarnished both him and the club.

The 19-year-old was spoken to by police at about 12.15am on Sunday morning in Surfers Paradise and told to move on.

About 45 minutes later Walsh was observed by officers in the same area, arrested and taken to Surfers Paradise Police Station, where he was searched and found to be in possession of cocaine.

Video of Walsh being arrested began circulating on social media on Sunday morning.

“Reece is really focused on moving through this with his family,” George said.

“He is starting drug and alcohol counselling tomorrow. It has been a tough period and … he has our support wrapped around him.

“This hurts the kid. He has been exposed into a very big arena that carries a lot of pressure and responsibility.

“However none of that is an excuse for Reece which we established this morning.”

Asked whether he was concerned that Walsh may have a drug problem, George said: “We’re confident through our discussions with Reece that he doesn’t have a problem.

“He has made a huge mistake in regards to drugs. One of the most positive things we can do is put support around him and allow him access to the proper counselling to ensure he becomes further aware of what is critical in his career and his life.”

Walsh signed a lucrative deal with the Warriors earlier this year after the Kiwi club convinced him to leave his beloved Brisbane Broncos.

After gaining an early release from Brisbane, he quickly became an NRL star with the Warriors. Walsh was so good, he was called up by Queensland after only a handful of games in first grade.

He failed to take the field after suffering a hamstring injury and his reputation is now in tatters as he deals with the damaging fallout from a poor choice made during a night out on the glitter strip.

Walsh enjoyed a breakout season with the Warriors after switching from Brisbane. Picture: NRL Photos

“The look on Reece’s face probably says it all,” Dawson said.

“Reece wanted to take the bull by the horns today. In doing so, hopefully he can work on mending that reputation … with everybody.

“It is not who he is. It is not who he wants to be. It is a mistake he has made.”

Walsh, of all people, should know better given his own personal experiences with drug use.

Earlier this year in an interview with News Corp, he spoke about his mother’s battles with drugs and how it affected their relationship.

“Being on drugs, mum probably didn’t know what she was saying half the time,” he said.

“As an NRL player, you have to be smart. There is always someone watching and there are little kids at home who watch NRL players and dream of being like us.

“I don’t want to be setting bad examples for young kids who watch the game. I don’t want them thinking that it’s OK to be doing drugs.

“It’s all about setting examples for the next generation.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Reece Walsh arrested on Gold Coast, reveals he used cocaine