Flanked by his Broncos head coach Michael Maguire, Reece Walsh has spent most of the post-grand final press conference staring at his newest toys—an NRL premiership ring and the Clive Churchill medal.
Based on his electrifying end to the 2025 season, they’re unlikely to be the last pieces of silverware the 23-year-old accumulates this year.
Later today, the 23-man Australian squad for the Kangaroo Tour to England will be officially released and it’s a lock the flamboyant number one will amongst the first picked.
“I’m sure Kevvie has my number, so if he wants to give me a call I’ll pick it up,” Walsh grinned of his former NRL coach, his premiership ring glistening before the cameras.
Baring injuries or suspensions (lest we forget Walsh was placed on report for a high shot on Xavier Coates in the 20th minute of the grand final) the first Ashes test at Wembley Stadium on October 25 looms as Walsh’s Australian debut.
Having just watched the Raiders, Panthers and Storm all vanquished by the mercurial number one, it seems England coach Shaun Wane will have his work cut out plotting a way to shut Walsh down, not to mention the rest of an Australian backline filled with game breakers.
For now, Reece Walsh has a premiership ring and he has a Clive Churchill medal.
An Ashes trophy would complete the set nicely.