‘Signed me to be a fullback’: Broncos-bound Walsh declares No.1 intention

A positional switch appears off the cards for new Broncos signing Reece Walsh in 2023, with the 20-year-old confirming coach Kevin Walters has signed him to play at fullback.

With incumbent Broncos fullback Te Maire Martin going the other way and linking with the Warriors for next season, Walsh is set to go head-to-head with his good friend Tesi Niu in the battle to win the starting job at the back for 2023 at Red Hill.

Speaking after his final game as a Warrior in round 25 – which ended in him suffering what he believed was a minor pectoral tear – Walsh said he sees himself as a dedicated fullback and is now looking forward to the trying to earn the spot at his new club.

“I haven’t really had too much of a chat with Kevvie at the moment, but I’m a fullback and they signed me to be a fullback,” Walsh said.

“In saying that it doesn’t mean the fullback spot is mine. There is a lot of good competition coming through the Broncos.

“I came through the grades with Tesi, he was always a year older than me and I always watched him play.

“I got to play with him in one game for the U18s Origin, he played in the centres then and I came off the bench.

I am really looking forward to getting home and working hard with Tes, he is one of my close mates and I have got a lot of respect and time for him.

Reece Walsh

Following his side’s 27-26 golden point loss to the Titans last Saturday, Walsh reflected on a whirlwind 18 months at the Warriors, in which he made 38 Telstra Premiership appearances after making his debut on Anzac Day last year.

Originally signed to be the long-term replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at the Warriors, Walsh was earlier this year granted a release from the final year of his contract with the New Zealand club and linked with Brisbane on a three-year deal.

While excited to return home to Queensland, where his immediate family are based, Walsh said he was sad to be leaving his teammates in Auckland.  

“I felt pretty emotional running out and shaking the boys’ hands (for the last time),” Walsh said.

“I am forever grateful for what the Warriors did for me. I had some really good days here and really bad ones, and they’ve stuck by me through thick and thin. It’s all love for the club.

“I will take the next couple of weeks to sit down with my family and reflect on the time I spent here. I really enjoyed my time here at the club and it’s sad that I’m going.

“In saying that I am happy to head back home and surround myself with family and mates I have grown up with.”