Reece Walsh reveals he wants to remain the Broncos for the rest of his career in emotional interview

In an emotional interview, Maroons star Reece Walsh reveals he wants to be a Broncos for rest of his career while paying tribute to a teammate for the special role he has played in his daughter’s life.

An emotional Reece Walsh has declared he won’t walk out on Brisbane and revealed plans to remain a Bronco for the rest of his career as he paid tribute to the club for developing him into a Queensland Origin superstar.

Walsh will be a key man for the Maroons in next Wednesday’s series opener and the Queensland fullback addressed speculation over his future at the Broncos amid reports contract talks had stalled.

It was fitting Walsh did extra training drills with Queensland coach Billy Slater at Red Hill on Tuesday because it’s Brisbane’s $27 million headquarters that has been the bedrock of the flying fullback’s rise to Camp Maroon.

Walsh is due to become a free agent on November 1, but the Maroons maestro has broken his silence over his NRL future in Queensland, insisting he has no intention of quitting the Broncos.

The Broncos are closing in on a five-year, $5.5 million extension for Walsh, who confirmed he has no plans to move south of the border in a huge coup for Brisbane and Queensland ahead of Origin I.

“Of course (he wants to stay at Brisbane),” Walsh said.

Reece Walsh. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“The Broncos are a massive part of me being here (in the Origin arena).

“I want to be at the Broncos for a long time and I’m sure that stuff (his contract extension) will get sorted out when it gets sorted out.”

Still only 21, Walsh will be approaching his 27th birthday when his next Broncos deal expires, by which time he could be the No.1 player in the game and attract record offers from NRL rivals.

But Walsh says he is so content with his life on and off the field in Queensland, he hopes to finish his career at the Broncos and break the club’s 18-year title drought.

Asked if he wants to be a Bronco for life, Walsh said: “Yep, 100 per cent.

“I love the club, I followed them as a kid and all that stuff will get sorted out when it gets sorted out.

“I love the people involved in the club and what they stand for.

“They (the Broncos) have amazing values.

Pat Carrigan with Leila Walsh.

“We have an amazing city, we have amazing fans, they turn up every single week and make it enjoyable to play for the club and come to training.

“There’s some decent blokes, too, so that plays a factor.”

Walsh then broke down, wiping away tears as he reflected on the support of one of those “decent blokes”, Broncos and Queensland lock Pat Carrigan.

Rated a future Maroons and Broncos captain, Carrigan has helped Walsh navigate some turbulent on and off-field events - he was banned from Origin III last year for swearing at referee Chris Butler.

The fullback choked back tears as he spoke of his young daughter Leila and the role Queensland and Broncos ironman Carrigan plays in their lives.

“He is massive for me,” Walsh said.

“Not just with what he does on the field but what he does off the field too with my little one (daughter).

Patrick Carrigan (R) plays a special role in his life. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I am getting a bit emotional here,” Walsh added, wiping away tears.

“Every time my little one sees him she lights up and calls him Uncle Patty.

“That is just a part of Patty’s nature. Our friendship is more than just a rugby league one.”

Walsh also shares a special bond with Maroons coach Slater.

After training on Tuesday, Slater took Walsh and Ezra Mam aside and ran through some plays, the pair watching on intently like starry-eyed students listening to an NRL professor.

Slater is widely regarded as rugby league’s greatest fullback and Walsh said he wants to repay the Queensland coach with a barnstorming display in Origin I after missing Game Three last year.

“Getting picked and getting the call from Billy was pretty special,” Walsh said.

“He is the best at what he does, so for me it’s awesome to be around the best fullback to ever play our game.

“To get the opportunity to be coached and mentored by him and getting drills at training, it’s crazy, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I’m soaking it up and enjoying the moments together.

“His detail around everything is pretty crazy. It’s awesome just to get things about your body position, the way your shoulder should be, the way your hips should be, it’s pretty awesome to get that sort of advice that you don’t think about.

“It was pretty tough (missing Origin III). It takes one opportunity for you to lose your spot potentially.

“I am grateful I am back in the position here and pulling on the jersey again. I learnt some good lessons at the back end of last year. I feel like I have matured a little bit more as a player.

“I want to do everything right (in Origin I).”

Originally published as Reece Walsh reveals he wants to remain the Broncos for the rest of his career in emotional interview