Reece Walsh is one in the most dynamic players in the game.
But as Broncos coach Michael Maguire knows only too well, it comes with conditions.
The charismatic Brisbane fullback has always sailed close to the wind, nowhere more so than his penchant for pushing the passing rule boundaries, which was again firmly on show in the 38-30 win over North Queensland.
Walsh was at his flamboyant best in Townsville, scorching the Cowboys with ten tackle breaks, five line break assists, two try assists and one try—but, again, it was far from perfect.
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The brash 23-year-old also made five errors and was the subject of several contentious passes, including the intercept ball that gifted Cowboys winger Semi Valemei the first try of the second half.
Walsh also appeared to be the beneficiary of a somewhat fortunate forward pass ‘no call’ from referee Ashley Klein in just the second minute of the Queensland derby that lead to Brisbane’s opening try through Gehamat Shibasaki.
Whether it’s down to his technique, timing or exuberance—or perhaps a combination of all three—the margins of success are fine and Walsh continues to live at their very edges as he spearheads the Brisbane attack towards the NRL finals.
He plays, and passes, without a buffer and for the Broncos to challenge the competition heavyweights in 2025, he’ll need to keep doing it—without overstepping the line.
Whether he can remains to be seen, but either way it’s going to be entertaining.