How Broncos learned their lesson when it comes to keeping star fullback Reece Walsh – 'mortgaged the house to keep him here'
- Broncos are keen to keep star fullback Reece Walsh
- Left mid-2021, signed for the NZ Warriors
- Returned last year, almost won NRL premiership
- Out of contact in 2024, tipped to strike new deal
Kevin Walters has stated that Reece Walsh will remain in Brisbane for the long term, with the Broncos coach adamant the club will not lose the fullback for a second time.
Walsh is out of contract at the end of next year, meaning the Broncos have until the end of October to sign the 21-year-old and avoid the prospect of him hitting the market.
But Walters says that won't come close.
Long seen as a rising star at Brisbane, Walsh left the club for the NZ Warriors in mid-2021 after failing to secure a place in the first grade.
His return to the Broncos last year was one of the stories of the season as his red-hot strike brought Brisbane within minutes of their first title since 2006.
Kevin Walters has stated that Reece Walsh will remain in Brisbane for the long term, with the Broncos coach adamant the club will not lose the fullback for a second time
The 21-year-old Walsh is out of contract at the end of 2024 and the club are keen to sign him so that he does not test his market value.
And Walters is well aware that Walsh's contract is the next crucial piece of the Broncos' long-term puzzle, weeks after Ezra Mam secured a five-year deal.
'I just mortgaged the house to keep him [Walsh] here,” the Broncos coach said.
“He's not going anywhere. There are a lot of guys who have terminated their contracts. Esra is one of them.
“We did Payne [Haas] late last year and Patty [Carrigan]. These guys are all long-term players for the club, and Walshy is no different.
“We enjoy having him here and I'm sure he enjoys being here too.”
Walters also challenged Walsh to go to another level this season as he prepares to score his first goal in a pre-season trial against North Queensland on Sunday.
“Some of the things we've talked about are about his defense and his organization on defense,” Walters said.
“We know he likes to attack, so that's always good for us when he's in that mode.
Walters joked he 'mortgaged the house' to keep Reece Walsh at the Broncos beyond 2024
“But also the unforced errors – not just Walshy, but as a group that's a big focus for us.
“Those unforced errors hurt us in the grand final last year. “We're trying to eliminate a few if we can, and that starts on Sunday.”
Skipper Adam Reynolds and Carrigan will both play in the Mackay trial, with the pair avoiding a ban from the NRL following their recent late-night scuffle at party venue Fortitude Valley.
Instead, the duo will face fines from the NRL after receiving an infringement notice on Friday.
“Honestly, I don't think playing the first round in Las Vegas was ever in jeopardy,” Walters said.