NRL 2024: Reece Walsh set to take his game to a new level

Reece Walsh burst onto the scene last season in a big way, but teammates say he can bring his game to a new level where a Dally M is there for the taking.

Reece Lighting is about to strike with even more ferocity.

That’s the warning from Broncos coach Kevin Walters, who declared Reece Walsh will be even more lethal this season as Brisbane stars backed their superstar fullback to win this year’s Dally M Medal.

All eyes will be on Brisbane’s golden boy Walsh in Sunday’s history-making 2024 premiership opener blockbuster against the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The 21-year-old went on a tear last season, amassing nine tries, 26 try assists, 21 line breaks and a whopping 3351 running metres as Walsh’s sublime mix of speed and attacking flair underpinned Brisbane’s surge to a fairytale grand-final appearance.

But on the eve of Walsh’s second full season at the Broncos, Walters warned NRL rivals the debonair custodian has only scratched the surface of his talent, claiming the Queensland Origin star could be the king of the league in 2024.

Reece Walsh in Vegas. Picture: Digital image by Grant Trouville

“Reece will get better certainly,” Walters said ahead of the Roosters round 1 showdown.

“It’s about starting again for all of our players.

“Some of the things I have spoken about with Reece is his defence and his organisation in defence.

“We know he loves to attack, that’s always good for us when he’s in that mode, but he can improve with those unforced errors, which goes for the whole group.

“Reece is a great young man and I can’t wait to see more from him this season.”

Walsh has promised NRL fans more entertainment this season. He will wage a backfield battle with Roosters champion James Tedesco in Vegas and says he wants to emulate the Australia captain’s penchant for being busy and always on the ball.

“I have set a few goals coming into this year,” Walsh said.

“I want to get involved more.

“I want more carries and more quality touches.

“If I do that, it’s going to be good for the side.”

Walsh laid a formidable marker in his only trial of the pre-season a fortnight ago, cutting the Cowboys to ribbons in an 11-minute blitzkrieg which showed the Broncos phenom is a class above most in the league.

Walsh was fifth in Dally M voting midway through last season, only to be ruled ineligible for the code’s top gong after his suspension for abusing an NRL match official.

Now Broncos teammates believe the backfield excitement machine is ready to supplant Newcastle ace Kalyn Ponga by winning the Dally M Medal this season as the code’s No.1 player.

“I am under no illusions Reece can go one step better and win the Dally M this year, 100 per cent,” prop Corey Jensen said.

“The great thing with Reece is he is always wanting to learn and wants to get better.

“We saw what he did last year and he is constantly trying to improve and watch tape, not only of himself but other fullbacks in the game.

Walsh with ball in hand. Picture: NRL Photos

“I don’t want to put too many wraps him because he is only young, but the sky is the limit and hopefully he does win it (the Dally M) this year.”

Superstar prop Payne Haas added: “I feel like Reece can go to another level this year. We all know how talented he is, but it’s just about backing that up from last year and I can’t wait to see it.”

Walsh has lapped up the past 10 days in America.

Hailed the new Andrew Ettingshausen of rugby league by ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys, Brisbane’s pin-up boy has been one of the side’s most vocal players at training, constantly barking orders and organising the Broncos’ defensive shape from the back.

Walsh relished the captain’s run at the monstrous $115 million training facility of NFL side the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. After training, Walsh did extras by landing a series of booming sideline conversions, underlining his unyielding work ethic in the pursuit of premiership glory.

Walters says Walsh is revelling in the spotlight as an NRL superstar, but is mindful of easing the pressure valve.

“Reece is one of the marquee players of the game, so I just want to take the pressure off him,” he said.

“He just has to get his defensive movements right with numbering up and his attack will flow off the back of that.

Walsh, Katoni Staggs and Adam Reynolds of the Broncos talk with General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

“He is a naturally attacking player but we need him to be good with his talk and when he has to make the tackles, he has to make them.

“He is fine (with the expectation), a lot of our players get attention, not just Reece, he is just of many.

“He handles it well. He is a great young man, they say you are a man when you are 21 and he is excited about tomorrow.

“Everything about America, he is loving it.”

Walsh admits he was stung by Brisbane’s heartbreaking grand-final defeat. It was an erratic night for the youngster and the Maroons maestro wants to balance brilliance with reliability and consistency this season.

“I want to take the moments when they come and get involved,” he said.

“I felt in that game (last year’s grand final) I probably wasn’t involved as much as I wanted to be.

“It was a credit to Penrith and their defence so it’s about finding ways for myself to get my hands on the ball and get more involved.”

Peter Badel travelled to Las Vegas courtesy of the NRL

Originally published as NRL 2024: Reece Walsh set to take his game to a new level