NRL 2024: Maroons coach Billy Slater defends Broncos star Reece Walsh

Maroons coach Billy Slater has defended Broncos star Reece Walsh, backing him to live up to his million dollar price tag and reach 200 first grade games for Brisbane.

Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater has hit back at Reece Walsh’s detractors saying the Broncos fullback superstar will play 200 NRL games and has the hunger to live up to his $1 million price tag.

Walsh has decided not to go to free agency with the Broncos whiz-kid agreeing terms on a four-year, $4.4 million extension to keep him at Red Hill until the end of 2029.

The 22-year-old will become the third player in Brisbane history, after Anthony Milford and Payne Haas, to become a $1 million-a-season Bronco when his deal goes into seven-figure territory in 2026.

Walsh had an indifferent 2024 campaign as he battled concussion and injuries, with his inconsistent form coming under the microscope during Brisbane’s slide to 12th place this season.

If anyone can understand the pressure on Walsh, it is Slater.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has hit back at Reece Walsh’s detractors. Picture: Getty Images

Widely regarded as the code’s greatest fullback, Slater also had to cope with the searing pressure of being a superstar in the making and he is adamant ‘Reece Lightning’ will justify Brisbane’s big-money investment.

Walsh has played 74 games since his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2021 and Slater says the full-back’s new deal will see him become a fully-fledged star at the Broncos.

“It’s great news for the Brisbane Broncos and great news for Reece as well,” Slater said on his Channel 9 podcast.

“Reece is 22 years old and the next 125 games are going to be with the Broncos, so that will take him to a 200-game player.

“You think about where you get your game to from 75 games to 200 games, that’s a great chunk of your career and the Broncos are going to see the best of Reece Walsh over the next five years.

“It’s a great result from the Broncos, there’s not many guys like Reece Walsh running around in the game.

Slater says Walsh will be able to play more than 200 NRL games for the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

“There’s not many players with his quality and he wants to be a Bronco.

“It’s fantastic for them that Reece wants to be in Brisbane. His family is in Brisbane, he has his daughter based up there, that’s where he wanted to go back to from the Warriors.

“Reece is in an environment where he can really focus on his footy now.

“For the next five years, he doesn’t have to think about contracts, he just has to think, ‘I can go after the next five years’.”

Walsh had a breakout 2023 year. He helped Brisbane to the grand final and was also a revelation under Slater, who blooded him in the Origin arena, a decision vindicated by the full-back’s sizzling form in Queensland’s series win that season.

But Walsh endured a rollercoaster campaign this year marred by a facial fracture, hand surgery and a sickening concussion in the State of Origin series opener.

Storm legend Slater has become one of Walsh’s most strident supporters and the Maroons mentor believes the Broncos No.1 will enjoy long-term success in the game, not solely because of his talent, but his work ethic.

Slater believes Walsh will be able to live up to his million-dollar price tag. Picture: NRL Photos

“I work closely with him in the Queensland Origin team,” Slater said.

“Reece is a great young lad, he has a great passion for the game, he loves the game and he has a great drive to become better.

“He is a student of the game. He has this drive within him, he works really hard and it just doesn’t happen.

“When you see players with a lot of talent like Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga, it doesn’t just happen. You have to work for it.

“The game is too hard to just go out there and outlay your talent. You have to be super fit. You have to be super professional, you have to understand the game and prepare for the game.

“He does that and has this want to be as good as he can.

“That want is a very undervalued attribute.

“If you don’t want it, it won’t happen for you, it doesn’t matter how much skill you’ve got.

“Luckily for the Broncos, Reece has that. He is not perfect and sometimes we expect our young stars to be perfect too early.

“But he is only 22 and you have to take yourself back to 22 and say, ‘How many rough edges did I have?’

“He will develop and grow as a person and player.

“We should be thankful that guys like Reece want to be a part of our game because they bring everything to our game.

“It (the four-year extension) is a good move by the Broncos and all parties will be happy with the result.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Maroons coach Billy Slater defends Broncos star Reece Walsh