Reece Walsh sets the record straight about his relationship with Michael Maguire after Origin KO

Michael Maguire’s appointment fuelled a fresh narrative as to whether he and Reece Walsh would see eye-to-eye in Brisbane. The star fullback sets the record straight after their Origin showdown.

Reece Walsh has rubbished claims he is a “rock star” and says there is no bad blood with his new coach Michael Maguire as the superstar fullback revealed Broncos teammates have challenged him to “be better”.

Walsh insists there will be no shred of personal complacency in 2025 after a turbulent 2024 campaign that has amplified pressure on Brisbane’s attacking wonder boy to hit back next season.

Walsh returned to pre-season a fortnight ago to be greeted by a new coaching face at Red Hill in Maguire, the one-time rival who masterminded NSW’s attack on the Queensland fullback last season.

NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off in Origin I for a sickening high shot on Walsh and it was seen as part of a Maguire strategy to ruthlessly target the Maroons custodian.

At the time, Maguire could not have envisaged he would be coaching Walsh at the Broncos six months later, fuelling a fresh narrative as to whether the pair would see eye-to-eye at Red Hill.

But Walsh says he has no issue over his treatment during the Origin series and is primed to strike a potent union with Maguire in their bid to snap Brisbane’s 19-year premiership drought.

Walsh’s decision to ink a four-year, $4.4 million upgrade last month was not only evidence of his faith in the Broncos, but his hope for a long and successful partnership with Maguire.

Asked what it was like to be mentored by a coach who put a target on his head in Origin, Walsh said with a laugh: “It’s good.

“From the chats we’ve had already, there’s been some really honest conversations and those are the conversations you want to have to get better.

“It’s pretty cool hearing them (feedback) and him going up against myself in those arenas.

“Me and ‘Madge’ (Maguire) had a few chats before we got it (his new contract) done. I was just glad he wanted to keep me here for five more years.

Reece Walsh was knocked out of the opening State of Origin game. Picture: NRL Photos/Brett Costello

“Madge sees that in me and that’s exciting. I will keep building each session and each week.”

After a superb 2023, Walsh lost his way last season and there was a view the freefall was triggered by the distractions of a social media following that now exceeds half-a-million fans.

‘Reece Mania’ had swept Red Hill after Brisbane’s charge to the 2023 grand final, but the 22-year-old dismissed suggestions his passion for success in football was eroded by his off-field brand exposure.

Walsh says the term ‘rock star’ doesn’t sit well with him. The kid from Nerang would rather get the job done in anonymity and go home to his three-year-old daughter Leila.

“I come in here each day and work hard on being a footballer,” he said.

“I can’t control stuff that happens out there (outside of the Broncos), I don’t really care.

“I want to come in here and put my best foot forward, be the best rugby league player I can be and when I go home, be the best dad and son I can be.

“I wouldn’t say that (there’s pressure on him).

“There is always pressure with putting on a Broncos jersey, it’s a massive club and the fans and people of Brisbane are really passionate.

“But I just go out and play footy and at the end of the day I just have to do my job.

“I took a lot of lessons out of last year so if we nail our jobs we will take a step in the right direction.”

Walsh’s NRL debut for the Warriors in 2021 as an 18-year-old now feels like a world away. Entering his fifth season, Walsh, who has played 74 NRL games, says he is far from the finished product and is determined not to fail his Broncos teammates.

“I’m a winner. They are pushing me to be better,” he said.

“If the answer was ‘no’ (to a Broncos revival this season), I wouldn’t deserve to be standing here.

“It’s my fifth year playing now, so I want to keep growing.

“It’s good having Madge and ‘Reyno’ (skipper Adam Reynolds) to lean on for advice.

“If I get better and we all grow as one, we all start to mature more and be the leaders that the Broncos need.”