Reece Walsh Primed for Maroons Return: Maguire Backs Star Fullback Ahead of Crucial NRL Clash
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire believes fullback Reece Walsh has firmly re-entered the State of Origin conversation, declaring the 22-year-old is more than ready to return to the Queensland side for the series decider on July 9.
After initially seeing his Origin hopes dented by a knee injury, Walsh has made a strong case for selection in recent weeks, especially with incumbent No.1 Kalyn Ponga facing questions over his form and fitness. The electric fullback further strengthened his position last week with a dynamic performance in Brisbane’s impressive comeback win over Cronulla.
Despite a shaky opening half, Walsh finished the game with an eye-catching stat line: two try assists, three linebreak assists, a linebreak, five tackle busts, and 178 metres run. It was the kind of effort that caught the attention of Maguire — and likely Queensland coach Billy Slater as well.
Now, Walsh is set to face his old club, the New Zealand Warriors, in what could be a final Origin audition at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday. The Warriors currently sit fourth on the ladder with a 10-4 record, providing a stern test for the Broncos, who have battled inconsistency this season.
Walsh’s path to stardom has been anything but conventional. In 2021, chasing more playing time and experience, he left the Broncos to join the Warriors. His talent quickly shone through, and by 2023, he had returned to Red Hill as one of the NRL’s most dangerous attacking players. That same year, he made his Origin debut for Queensland and played all three games of the series, standing tall despite being targeted relentlessly by the Blues.
Maguire said Walsh’s recent displays have shown the maturity and growth expected of a representative-calibre player.
“He’s done that in the last couple of weeks,” Maguire said when asked if Walsh was pushing for a Maroons recall. “Last week he took a massive step where I think he’s ready. It’s just a matter of whether the opportunity arises for him.”
While acknowledging that team selection is out of his hands, Maguire was quick to praise Walsh’s passion and dedication.
“He works really hard at his game, and he’s actually great to have around,” Maguire added. “He just loves talking footy, and that’s certainly my style.”
Currently sitting in seventh place on the ladder with a 7-7 record, the Broncos have recovered from a concerning four-game losing streak to register back-to-back wins. However, they remain three victories shy of a top-four spot — something that has not gone unnoticed within the club.
Maguire suggested that external doubts about the Broncos’ ability to challenge for a finals berth have become a driving force in the locker room.
“A lot of people probably say we can’t do it, so it’s in our hands,” he said. “We are where we are now, so let’s see how we go. It’s well and truly wide open, but we’ve got to make sure we find our game like we did last week and the week before.”
Their upcoming clash against the Warriors has added emotional weight for Walsh, who faced heartbreak against his former team earlier this season. In a tight contest back in April, Walsh starred late in the game — setting up a try and then scoring one himself — to force extra time. But a costly error, kicking the restart too deep, allowed the Warriors to seal a 20-18 win through a penalty goal from Luke Metcalf.
Maguire said the team hasn’t focused too much on that previous loss, choosing instead to concentrate on their recent improvements and what lies ahead. But there’s no doubt that Walsh, who thrives on big moments and personal challenges, will be fired up for a measure of redemption.
For Queensland, the looming Game III decider adds extra intrigue to Walsh’s performance. With Billy Slater facing pressure to tweak his lineup, Walsh’s explosiveness and ability to change games could be too hard to ignore — especially if he fires again this weekend.
Ponga, who missed the start of the season due to injury, has returned to action for Newcastle but hasn’t quite hit the dazzling form that once made him the Maroons’ first-choice fullback. That uncertainty opens the door for Walsh to potentially reclaim the No.1 jersey — if he can put together another eye-catching display at Suncorp.
There’s also the added narrative of redemption for Walsh at Origin level. Though he impressed in his first full series last year, he found himself at the centre of several fiery confrontations and disciplinary headlines. A mature showing now, under pressure, would speak volumes about his growth and leadership potential.
In Maguire’s eyes, the young star has already ticked the boxes.
“He’s just got that drive and energy,” the coach said. “He’s always asking questions, always learning. It’s great to coach someone who lives and breathes the game like he does.”
For the Broncos, Walsh’s form is just as crucial at club level. Brisbane’s finals hopes hinge on their key players staying fit and firing through the second half of the season. With Origin selection looming and a top-four finish still mathematically possible, Maguire knows now is the time for his squad to string together consistent performances.
If Walsh can deliver another standout showing on Saturday — both to help the Broncos climb the ladder and to send a message to Slater — his Maroons return could be inevitable.
And based on what Maguire has seen, there’s no doubt in the coach’s mind:
“He’s ready.”
