Broncos Coach Reveals Reece Walsh’s Extra Effort Behind the Scenes Amid Criticism
Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire has lifted the lid on an unseen side of star fullback Reece Walsh, praising his commitment to improving under pressure. The 23-year-old has been the subject of mounting criticism in recent weeks over his high-risk playing style, with calls for him to steady his approach and find a more consistent rhythm.
Walsh’s speed and attacking flair have long been part of his trademark game, but critics argue he often plays at a tempo that leaves some of his teammates struggling to keep up. That tendency was evident in Brisbane’s 22-2 loss to the Melbourne Storm last week, when Walsh threw a forward pass while trying to put Selwyn Cobbo into space for a potential try in the 13th minute. The play drew immediate frustration, both from Walsh himself and from Broncos supporters who have grown weary of risky decisions that don’t come off.
In recent outings, Walsh has produced several similar moments—ambitious passes that haven’t stuck—fueling debate over whether he needs to reign in the audacity that makes him such a dangerous threat. Former Bronco Denan Kemp was among those urging Walsh to find a balance between flair and control, especially given the team’s injury woes. With key players Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, and Cobbo all sidelined, the Broncos’ attack will be relying heavily on their fullback.
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk, however, believes Walsh should resist calls to water down his style completely. Cronk argues that it’s the very willingness to take on high-reward plays that makes Walsh special—and that this fearless streak will be vital if the Broncos are to push through their current adversity.
Despite the external noise, Maguire has gone in to bat for his fullback, describing him as one of the hardest workers in the squad and revealing the unseen dedication that Walsh brings to his craft. Speaking to SEN Radio on Thursday morning, Maguire shared an example from just the night before.
“I’ll give you an example of Reece last night,” Maguire said. “He stayed out for an hour after training doing extras. That says a lot about a player who wants to be at their best. That’s why he’s such a competitor.”
Maguire explained that Walsh has been specifically drilling areas of his game that have been criticised—like his passing accuracy—to make sure those mistakes are ironed out before they happen again. “In the last couple of weeks, he’s had one or two forward passes,” Maguire said. “So he spends time on the field practising that over and over so he can get it right next time. You want him to play his natural game, but you want him to have the right temperament about when to pull the trigger. He talks about it openly with the team. I’m really happy with how he’s developing—he’s such a competitor.”
Walsh’s attitude has won the admiration of many inside the Broncos camp, even as fans and pundits outside remain divided. While Maguire sees him as a workhorse who is actively responding to feedback, some former players argue that the stakes have changed for Brisbane’s No.1.
Kemp, who has not been shy in his assessments, said on SEN Radio last week that Walsh now faces a defining choice in his career. “He has to make a decision as a player—what he wants to be,” Kemp said. “If he was on $600,000, that’s fine, you can be up and down and have your big moments. But you can’t build a club around a guy that’s so up and down. And it’s not just on the field. Mentally, he needs to calm his mind, take a step back, and get level. Otherwise, the frustration will just grow.”
The pressure on Walsh to perform has only intensified with Brisbane’s top-eight hopes hanging in the balance. The Broncos’ injury list has stripped the team of some of its most experienced campaigners, meaning the attacking load will fall squarely on Walsh’s shoulders in the coming weeks.
Cronk, speaking on Fox League earlier this week, sees this as the moment for Walsh to embrace the responsibility and play with confidence rather than hesitation. “He is the key,” Cronk said. “There’s this narrative that says he has to tone it down, but that was when everyone was fit. Right now, this team needs him to get it right and play like the dominant player he can be. If he goes missing, the Broncos have no chance. But if he catches fire for a month, suddenly you’re thinking the Broncos are a threat.”
Cronk acknowledged that not every high-risk play will succeed, but he stressed that Walsh’s unpredictability is exactly what can unsettle defences—something Brisbane will need with finals football approaching.
The Broncos’ upcoming clash against the Dolphins looms as a critical test. Both teams are in a fight to secure their place in the top eight, and Walsh’s performance could be the difference. Maguire’s public backing may ease some of the external pressure, but it’s clear that expectations remain sky-high.
For Walsh, the challenge will be balancing his natural attacking instincts with the game management needed to guide his side through this injury-hit period. The glimpses of brilliance that have made him one of the NRL’s most exciting players are still there—what’s needed now is the consistency to deliver them at the right moments.
Maguire remains confident that his fullback is on the right track. His praise for Walsh’s unseen efforts—staying behind after training, repeatedly practising the basics, and engaging in open discussions with teammates—paints a picture of a player determined to rise above the criticism. In the coach’s eyes, it’s not a question of commitment but of fine-tuning decision-making under pressure.
As the Broncos prepare for a must-win match, all eyes will be on Walsh to see if that extra work translates to game-day success. Whether he heeds Kemp’s advice to level his temperament or Cronk’s encouragement to unleash his attacking flair, his next few performances could define Brisbane’s season—and shape the narrative around his career moving forward.
For now, Maguire’s message is clear: Reece Walsh is not shying away from the challenge. The long hours, the attention to detail, and the willingness to learn are all happening behind closed doors. What remains to be seen is whether those unseen efforts will silence his critics and propel the Broncos toward finals contention.
