Kevin Walters slams ‘garbage’ Reece Walsh rumour amid rockstar culture claim

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters has rubbished rumours about star fullback Reece Walsh and the Brisbane playing group.

Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters has rubbished the suggestion the club has a rockstar culture and encouraged Reece Walsh to continue to be himself to get the best out of his ability.

Michael Maguire has been working hard to change Brisbane’s culture and work ethic after they went from grand finalists in 2023 to 12th on the ladder in 2024.

The huge fall from grace cost Walters his job and many feel a more shackled Walsh will come out in 2025, under the structured guidance of Maguire.

Walsh went on record this week saying he wants to be the best player in the game and despite his penchant for mistakes Michael Ennis warned Maguire not to coach the brilliance out of his game.

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“I really think it’s so important that he continues to be allowed to have those little failures from time to time because you can’t celebrate those iconic moments that he can deliver and then try and contain him to eliminate some of that flash and brilliance at times,” Ennis said.

“Yes, there’s moments in games where he needs to be a little bit more mindful of when to look for the big play, but I just think there’s still so much growth in him and we need to allow him to do that.”

Reece Walsh is a star of the NRL. Image: Getty

Kevvie Walters wants Reece Walsh to be himself.

Walters, who was axed by the Broncos after winning 50 of his 99 games in charge for a win percentage of 50.51 last year, believes mistakes are part of the package you get with Walsh, particularly given his age.

“That’s how he plays and we need to encourage that,” Walters said on Fox League.

“You’re not going to coach that out of him. If you do, you’re losing.

“So there’s going to be some great moments and there is going to be some not so great, but that’s all learning for him. He’s 22.”

Ennis believes Walsh is undoubtedly a star on and off the field and the Broncos need to embrace his personality.

“100 per cent and he is a star,” Ennis said.

“If he wants to wear those glasses, wear them,” Walters added.

“Paint your nails. Do what makes you happy and get the job done on the footy field.”

Walters rubbished rumours surrounding his former club. Picture: Richard Walker

“I think that’s so important, given there has been a lot of hype around the Brisbane Rockstar way,” Ennis said.

However, Walters shot down talk of a rockstar culture at the Broncos and believes it is part and parcel of the club itself.

“It’s a load of garbage, I can tell you from being inside the club,” Walters said.

“The Broncos are a Rockstar club.”

Ennis encouraged Maguire and the club to embrace the individual characters at the club, while not letting it get in the way of the team’s goals.

“You allow the individuals to have that individuality, but when they come into the four walls, they need to buy into where the club is going,” Ennis said.

Walters believes it would be a mistake for the Broncos to curtail Walsh’s personality and stop him from expressing his true nature and character.

“Exactly, and that was never an issue for me because I let them express themselves and I feel if they don’t, they’re not the person who they want to be and you don’t get the best out of them,” Walters said.

“That’s how I see it.”

Originally published as Kevin Walters slams ‘garbage’ Reece Walsh rumour amid rockstar culture claim