NRL 2024: Reece Walsh’s multimillion-dollar upgrade will propel him to the top of the sport

Reece Walsh’s multimillion-dollar upgrade will propel the Brisbane Broncos star to the top of the sport, according to two premiership greats.

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh will become one of the top three players in the NRL after securing a mega extension as part of Brisbane’s masterplan to break a 19-year premiership drought.

That is the opinion of Broncos legend Gorden Tallis and former premiership playmaker Braith Anasta, who believe ‘Reece Lightning’ will strike back and lead a title revival under Kevin Walters next season.

The Broncos have completed a two-week review of the club and will launch their 2025 pre-season in November buoyed by the news Walsh has agreed terms on a four-year, $4.4 million extension.

Walsh will remain at Red Hill until the end of 2029 and the Queensland Origin star will be primed to hit the ground running after his injury-plagued season summed up Brisbane’s horror 2024 campaign.

The Broncos went from grand finalists last year to 12th this season, but with Walsh and young gun pivot Ezra Mam now both locked in until 2029, Brisbane have the strike in the spine to hit back as a finals force.

Reece Walsh can cement his status as one of the best players in the game. Photo: Chloe Davis/NRL Imagery

Walsh could have earned more on the open market, but Tallis lauded the fullback’s decision not to head to free agency, believing the new deal will elevate the 22-year-old to a new level of performance.

“Potentially, I think he (Walsh) can get to being in the top three or five players in the game,” said former Broncos skipper and NRL 360 co-host Tallis.

“This year he got found out a bit, so he needs a really tough pre-season and to keep working hard on his game.

“The kids that have gone and joined rugby league because of Reece Walsh is amazing.

“He can play.”

Anasta, the former NSW and Test playmaker who won a title at the Bulldogs in 2004, backed Walsh to light up the NRL over the next five years.

But the veteran of 288 NRL games for Canterbury, the Roosters and Wests Tigers says the next challenge for the Broncos is finding a halfback successor for Adam Reynolds to help Walsh as Brisbane chase their first premiership since 2006.

“He is so talented,” NRL 360 host Anasta said of Walsh.

“I saw him up close in Vegas (for Brisbane’s round 1 clash against the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium) and just watching his speed and agility, he is captivating.

“I think he will be in the top-three best players in the game within two or three years, easily.

“That’s just my opinion.”

Anasta isn’t sure if the Broncos can afford to make a play for Roosters whizkid Sam Walker, who is a free agent from November 1, as a possible replacement for Reynolds, who is expected to retire next year.

“Does that put the Broncos under cap pressure spending so much on Reece?” Anasta said.

“They still need a halfback when Reynolds leaves.

“With this signing of Reece, maybe it takes Sam Walker out of the equation.”

Brisbane legend Steve Renouf insists Walters is the coach to turn the glamour club around, but says Walsh and other Broncos players need to come to terms with the constant expectation at Red Hill.

“In this sport, you learn how to win and they did that last year, so they just need to get back to what worked last year,” Renouf said.

“I’ve been part of Broncos teams where we were expected to win the comp and we didn’t manage to do it and we had to rebuild.

“In 1999, we lost the first seven games and Allan Langer suddenly retired, but the following year we bounced back and won the (2000) premiership.

“There’s always this feeling that Brisbane have got to make the finals - that’s just the expectation.

“Without a doubt, ‘Kevvie’ (Walters) is the coach to get us back on track.

“He’s changed the culture and got the club back to where it should be.

“They’ve just hit a roadblock at the moment, but they’ll bounce back next year.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Reece Walsh’s multimillion-dollar upgrade will propel him to the top of the sport