Maroons debutant Reece Walsh thrived on being targeted by a NSW Blues outfit he said “think they own the game”.
The fullback had heard all the banter before the Maroons 26-18 win in Adelaide in the State of Origin series opener, with the Blues announcing before the game they were coming for him.
He was peppered with high balls by Nathan Cleary and caught them all.
Josh Addo-Carr came for him with a swinging arm when he was on the ground. It was water off a duck’s back to Walsh.
“They were always going to come (for me). They think they are better than everyone down there in blue,” he said.
“They think they own the game. I took the challenge on. Queensland, these boys … Billy (Slater) and the whole coaching staff made it easy for me.
“I knew I had to go out there and do my job. That’s it. I didn’t look too far. I didn’t look too short.
“I just had to go out and be Reece Walsh.”
The rookie Origin fullback set up winger Selwyn Cobbo for his second try with a no-look cutout pass and was involved in his Broncos teammate’s first in a classy all-round display.
Walsh said being coached by Slater in the leadup was key to his success.
“He’s the greatest fullback to play the game and spent countless hours with me talking positional play and where I can pop up on the field,” Walsh said.
“There were little things about my positioning, where I use my energy, being smart on the field … all the small things.
“He was a really detailed fullback. He is a really detailed coach. He is a really good person and cares about you. You don’t want to let him down.”
Slater returned the compliments, with plenty of praise for the debutant.
“The young lad at fullback has so much substance to his game outside of the highlights,” the Queensland coach said.
“We all love seeing Reece Walsh pull the trigger on a pass, his blistering speed or his involvement in the game … but he is building a foundation to his game that is going to hold him in good stead for a long period of time.
“That’s what I have seen. That is what I have liked and that is why he is here.
“He is a quality player and a good young man. He has a big future ahead of him.”
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
It worked a treat, Looking at Walsh whilst Oates, Arthurs, Staggs & Farnworth carved em up
Bernie
Roar Rookie
doesn't matter where you live TB3, as long as you're a fan. never understood people who drop off supporting their team just because they're going badly. my mum's dad was an ex-jockey and a light horseman in the first world war & they lived in Ritchie St, Sans Souci. dad's family was further up rocky point rd in Hastings Rd.
Pop
Roar Rookie
He is young immature and slater needs to keep a lid on his ego so his head can fit through the door.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Like hair pulling ? That is an art form .
mushi
Roar Guru
But as a supporter nor can anything from the game. We're just the suckers they're monetising.
mushi
Roar Guru
NO. I'm Reece Walsh.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I'm a dragon for life despite living in Canberra for most of the last 49 years. My mum's big family lived in Fontainebleau Street, Sans Souci before moving to Monterey. We lived in dad's family home in Hurstville, close to Allawah and a short walk to Kogarah Oval.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
My dad was 16 in 1939 but he joined later and saw service in Borneo. He didn't talk much about it, but he said his scariest night was doing sentry duty. Mum drove trucks at Puckapunyal.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
If Reece Walsh couldn’t be Reece Walsh, someone else would step up. That’s just what Queenslanders do.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
good one TB3. both my mum and dad's family were from ramsgate/sans souci, so it was always Saints for us. although born in St George hospital, we moved south for his work i guess when i was very young, like 3. i dunno, i guess its the tribal thing with league, i just have always gone for Saints. i know this is probs their worst year, but you just have to stick with it. i dont care what team you go for, but dont swap & change, stay loyal.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
TB3, Melbourne Grammar and Shepparton trialled for Melbourne for the 1939 season but War intervened.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Who did your dad play for?
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
My Dad knew Keith Barnes's family from WW2. Dad was based in Yorkshire in the RAAF. Dad was a VFL player but knew a few League players from 'North of England.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The Tigers were unlucky. Had Bob Boland found touch when kicking a penalty there would've been a scrum but Langlands pulled the ball in and took advantage of a Balmain defence mainly on one side of the field.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I was there, aged 14. Go Tigers
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
Fair call but passive at best, an excuse to go the pub
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Cheers Bernie. In January 1960 my mum took me to Hurstville Infants school to enrol. There were too many kids and since I didn’t turn 5 until 1st of May they told us to come back in term 2. I did but in 1961 they created a new grade, called “transition” so I wouldn’t start 1st class until 1962. I was always one of the oldest in my class. I later played RL for Allawah with kids from Carlton who were all in the year above. Were the schools overcrowded when you started? My first live game was the 1964 grand final. I thought the Balmain Tigers looked great in their orange and black jerseys, as did the Saints in white with red V.
Robert
Roar Rookie
You go for QLD, therefore you do have a dog in the fight.
Pop
Roar Rookie
Yes I’m sure Slater will ram home that truth and that in reality it’s unlikely that some of NSW players are going to have two poor games in a row. That to say if Qld are to win they will have to play better.