NRL 2024: Reece Walsh hailed rugby league’s biggest star since Wally Lewis, John Grant

Reece Walsh has been hailed rugby league’s biggest rock star since Wally Lewis, as statistics show he is as dominant as Billy Slater at the same stage of their careers.

Reece Walsh has been hailed as rugby league’s biggest star since Wally Lewis. Picture: Getty Images

Reece Walsh has been hailed rugby league’s biggest rock star since Wally Lewis with the Emperor of Red Hill tipped to lead the Broncos to a drought-breaking premiership this season.

That verdict from former ARL Commission boss John Grant came as statistics show Walsh is as dominant as Billy Slater – rugby league’s greatest fullback – at the same stage of their careers.

State of Origin has come early with Maroons maestro Walsh to wage a fullback battle with NSW champion James Tedesco in Friday night’s Broncos-Roosters blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.

And Grant, one of the most decorated players and administrators in Queensland’s league history, believes Walsh is so special the 21-year-old is primed to snap Brisbane’s 18-year title drought.

Reece Walsh has been hailed as rugby league’s biggest star since Wally Lewis. Picture: Getty Images

The code’s inaugural ARL Commission chairman in 2012, Grant will deliver the QRL’s annual Ross Livermore lecture in Brisbane this Saturday and he lauded the NRL’s quality as an entertainment product.

At the heart of the NRL’s record ratings is Walsh, the Broncos golden boy Grant believes can be more exciting than ‘The King’ Lewis, Queensland’s Origin icon of the 1980s and 1990s.

“Reece Walsh is the most exciting player I have seen in a very long time,” said Grant, who played wing and centre for Queensland and Australia in 1972-73.

“I am blown away by what he can do on the football field.

“If you think about exciting players in the game, let’s go back to Wally Lewis. Was Wally Lewis exciting? Not in the same way Reece Walsh is.

“Wally got a huge following by the guile he showed on the field and his willingness to take it up to people and his performances in big games, but Reece is a totally different kettle of fish.

“Reece is magnificent to watch, he brings so much excitement for fans, irrespective of which club they support.

“Even on the weekend, the Wests Tigers ballboys had Reece Walsh socks on, that says it all really.

“He is certainly one of the most exciting players I have ever seen.”

Former ARL Commission boss John Grant believes Walsh can be more exciting than ‘The King’ Lewis, Queensland’s Origin icon of the 1980s and 1990s.

Statistics provided by Fox Sports Lab show Walsh is generating the type of numbers that underpinned Slater’s surge to backfield greatness.

After 66 NRL games of their careers, Slater exceeds Walsh in tries (51 to 28), line breaks (69 to 49), average runs (12 to 10.3) and average metres (125m to 108m).

But the Broncos whiz-kid blows Slater away in try assists (55 to 10) and average tackle busts (4.2 to 2.5), illustrating the power and playmaking ability that is set to make Walsh the highest-paid player in Brisbane’s history on a $1.1 million-a-season deal.

Grant says Walsh is so lethal in attack, ‘Reece Lightning’ must be wary of the heavy collisions that left him nursing a facial fracture against Penrith last month.

“I hope the kid can keep his head on his shoulders, I mean that intellectually and physically,” the 74-year-old said.

“The way he runs and the speed at which he runs causes players to act with reaction rather than intent and he is going to get caught by some tackles, as he has been already.

“He needs to be careful in that regard, but he is fantastic. He is a genuine matchwinner.

“If you think across the game about how many players you would regard as true match winners, there’s not many, but Walsh is a matchwinner.

“Reece has got speed, true, explosive speed like I’ve never seen.

“His change in direction is remarkable. He can turn 90 degrees at speed, I mean … give me a break. I would have hated to mark him. It would have been a nightmare.

“If Reece stays on the field, injury free, he can certainly be the NRL’s highest-paid player.

“He could be anything in the game.”

Statistics show Walsh is as dominant as Billy Slater – rugby league’s greatest fullback – at the same stage of their careers. Picture: Getty Images

The Broncos face a litmus test of their title credentials this week against the Roosters and Grant backed Brisbane to clinch their first premiership since 2006, driven by the pain of last year’s grand-final loss to Penrith.

Asked to nominate the team to beat this year, Grant said: “I think the Broncos can win the comp, absolutely.

“They have the experience from last year and they have real engine-room strength.

“They have core strength in the forwards, they have strong, hard defensive players and serious attacking players.

“They also have fantastic depth.

“I think they will be exposed a little bit if Reece was injured, but they have demonstrated when he was out, they can still win games without him.

“It’s early in the season and there’s a lot of good teams, but the Broncos certainly have the goods.”

Annual Ross Livermore Memorial Lecture, to be delivered by former ARLC chair John Grant. This Saturday, May 4, 10am start at QRL office, 83 Castlemaine St, Milton. Free event but to assist with catering, confirm attendance with QRL on [phone] or email [e-mail]

Originally published as NRL 2024: Reece Walsh hailed rugby league’s biggest star since Wally Lewis, John Grant