NRL talent Reece Walsh has been arrested during a night out on the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise party strip, now under investigation for “drug and public order offences”.
The NRL’s integrity unit and the Warriors are understood to be investigating after footage emerged on social media of the Gold Coast-born 19-year-old being handcuffed by Queensland Police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“At 0.15am this morning, a 19-year-old Nerang man was issued with a direction to move-on from an area in Surfers Paradise,” a Queensland Police statement obtained by AAP read.
“Around 1.00am, police saw the man had returned to the same area in an alleged contravention of this direction.
“The man was arrested and taken to the Surfers Paradise Police Station where he assisted police with their inquiries.
“He was released a short time later with police now investigating whether the man was involved in drug and public order offences.”
Walsh won the RLPA’s Rookie of the Year award last week and is among the top chances to claim Dally M equivalent at Monday night’s end-of-season function in Brisbane.
Unable to crack it for the Broncos’ top 30, Walsh signed a deal to join the Warriors in March and was given an early release to head there immediately.
Warriors coach Nathan Brown shifted captain and superstar fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to accommodate Walsh and the young gun responded in kind, scoring nine tries and setting up 11 others from 16 appearances.
It was enough for Queensland coach Paul Green to call him up for a State of Origin debut after just seven games, although Walsh never played after suffering an injury the day before the game.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I've got a comment held up by the mods, seriously comment all you want but dont infer stuff about me or my mates, you dont know me and judging from that comment I'm glad that's the case
U
Roar Rookie
It’s the crowds they hang around I’d say.
U
Roar Rookie
Maybe you and your mates do it. Don’t try and generalize your behavior
no one in particular
Roar Guru
At least the Storm have joined the party. Can the Queenslander involved be linked to the Broncos?
Jeannine Wallace
Roar Rookie
Gosh, he is 19 years of age. He didn't hurt anybody, and he appears genuinely apologetic. Start throwing your barbs if he decides to do this kind of thing again, but at this point give him a break!
sheek
Roar Guru
Crocodile tears. What would have happened if he wasn't caught out? Nothing! He would have carried on as per usual. If you don't change your behaviour before you're caught out, then you are not serious.
Tony
Roar Guru
:stoked:
Paul
Guest
Remember the story about Edwards & which clubs may want him at fullback? I can think of at least one!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
When too much opportunity and privilege is nowhere near enough … Well supported at home: “long-time junior coach at the Nerang Roosters – a close friend of the family – whole family are footy orientated; his dad was a good player … his sister plays” from a QRL headline story on February 24, 2018. Excellent school: Keebra Park State High, a renowned League and Union nursery which lists 60 names who went on to play professionally, from Benji onwards. Boundless opportunity: QLD Academy of Sport Under 15 squad and its Under 16 Emerging Origin squad; Tweed Heads Seagulls National Under-18 Title and Mal Meninga Cup-winning sides; Queensland under-18s; Australian Schoolboys; Broncos Development Squad and placed with the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup – they housed Walters, Walters, Inglis, Folau, Smith, Slater and Cronk. The Broncos then released him early to take up a three year contract with the Warriors worth $1.2 million, $7,700 per week. To top it all off he was selected to play in 2021 State of Origin II. The high school, the Academy, the four clubs and the juniors representative programs are all awash with visiting experts who ensure the entities meet duty of care expectations, with sessions on making your bed, cleaning your teeth, being civil to females, breathe in breathe out, giving drugs the shunt, if you drink and drive you are a blood… ooops! … it’s not your fault, let me give you a hug. :unhappy: If he is too dim to pay attention, listen and seize the glittering prize why on earth would anyone have past successful players offer even more “mentoring”, thereby diverting that resource from more worthy, more focused prospects?
JohnB
Roar Rookie
To be fair, that's 2 fairly significant post season incidents in the past few days and the Broncos had got rid of both players involved.
Tony
Roar Guru
:crying:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
Imagine if the Broncos got their home-grown talent back... Reece Walsh, Sam Walker, Dane Gagai, Jai Arrow, Jaydn Su'A, Adam Reynolds... :laughing: Throw Wayne Bennett into the mix and I can't imagine how all of QLD wouldn't get behind the Rabbitohs for the 2021 GF! Better for half a Sydney team to win the premiership than one representing all of Sydney! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
If you say so mate. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
I know you love a Seibold reference Paps but this pre and post dates our mate Seibs. Reece was nothing but a talented youngster before those Warriors got their hands on him. :happy:
matth
Roar Guru
He looked pretty scared at the press conference. 19 years old, geez that's young to have half a million in cash. I'm just thinking of my 19 year old son, or myself as a 19 year old. Immune to consequences, constantly surprised (i.e. not thinking ahead). I sympathize with the kid and hhope this puts the fear of Pete into him and he steers clear of trouble. It might be his Bourbon and Beefsteak moment.
matth
Roar Guru
He looked pretty scared at the press conference. 19 years old, geez that's young to have half a million in cash. I'm just thinking of my 19 year old son, or myself as a 19 year old. Immune to consequences, constantly surprised (i.e. not thinking ahead). I sympathize with the kid and hhope this puts the fear of Pete into him and he steers clear of trouble. It might be his Bourbon and Beefsteak moment.
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
"How did I know he would still be linked to the Broncos. They get mentioned before the bloody Warriors." You have to question who first shaped the impressionable young man's character, Nat. Anthony Seibold put Sam Walker and Reece Walsh under a lot of pressure before driving them out of the club. The spirit of Seibold lingers on at Red Hill I'm afraid old mate. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
Yeah but not until he's over 30 and all busted up
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
The Gold Coast claims yet another victim! Just like Jimmy the Jet, Dave Taylor, Greg Bird et al, now young Reece Walsh gets drawn into the opiate-like atmosphere of the QLDs version of Sin City where the town motto is; "Get high one day, get busted the next".
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I don't understand your comment, Mushi. Are you saying it's use should be made legal?