Reece Walsh at centre of 'secret' clash between Billy Slater and ex-Broncos coach Kevin Walters
The Queensland Maroons and Brisbane Broncos coaches reportedly didn't see eye-to-eye.
New details have emerged about how Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater tried and failed to have an influence on how Reece Walsh was being used at the Brisbane Broncos under Kevin Walters. Walsh will be working with Michael Maguire at the Broncos for the foreseeable future, but it looks like Maguire might also be fielding calls from Slater about the superstar fullback.
Veteran journalist Robert Craddock revealed on Monday there were "secret" talks between Slater and Walters in which the coaches couldn't see eye-to-eye about how best to utilise Walsh. Slater has coached the Maroons for the last three years, and Walsh has previously lauded the legendary fullback for taking his game to a new level.
But Slater's coaching and thinking around how Walsh should be used apparently clashed with that of Walters at the Broncos. Craddock wrote in the Courier Mail on Monday that Walsh was at the centre of a "secret tug of war" in 2024 in which Slater and Walters "wanted him to play in different ways".
Slater and Walters reportedly clashed on where Walsh should position himself in the defensive line, and whether he should be taking more runs from dummy-half. There have been a number of instances in the last few seasons in which Walsh has been caught out of position in defence.
According to Craddock, officials from the Broncos and Queensland Rugby League even organised a meeting between the coaches so they could try and come to an agreement. While some would argue Slater shouldn't be getting involved in club land, others would counter that he's one of the game's greatest fullbacks and has every right to try and help a promising young No.1 from his state.
Reece Walsh lifts the lid on Billy Slater's influence
Speaking ahead of the 2024 Origin series, Walsh was glowing with praise for Slater. "His detail around everything is pretty crazy, so it's awesome just to get things about your body position, the way your shoulder should be, the way your hips should be," he said at the time.
"It's pretty crazy and awesome to get those sorts of things that you don't think about. He is the best at what he does, so for me it's awesome to be around the best fullback to ever play our game. To get the opportunity to be coached and mentored by him and getting drills at training is a lifetime opportunity, so I'm soaking it up and enjoying the moments together."
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Tellingly, Walters employed Broncos great Darius Boyd to work with his outside backs while he was coach. Boyd also acted as a mentor to Walsh, but has departed the club in the wake up Walters' sacking.
"I am very grateful to ‘Darbs' (Boyd)," Walsh said last year. "I wouldn’t be here doing what I am doing without him. Having him close each week and getting tips off him and picking his brain as much as I can ... he has been massive. I wouldn’t say just this year either. Darbs came to sessions when I was at the EPD (elite player development squad) here in juniors and was teaching us three-on-twos and summing up situations."
Reece Walsh facing pressure from Kalyn Ponga for Origin job
Whether Slater decides to retain Walsh in the Queensland team in 2025 remains to be seen, with many of the belief that Kalyn Ponga is the better option. Slater went with Walsh in 2023 amid Ponga's desire to repay the Knights for their faith and focus on club footy, and the 22-year-old had a blinder.
But Walsh wasn't nearly as good in 2024, and Ponga was utilised off the bench in Game 3 after missing the first two matches of the series due to injury. If Ponga is back to full fitness next year and wants to play Origin, Slater will face a tricky call on who to pick.
If he sticks with Walsh, it could result in some awkward conversations with Maguire. The new Broncos coach was in charge of NSW in State of Origin this year, and masterminded the Blues' triumph over Slater's Maroons.
