Reece Walsh cops truth bomb from NRL legend amid ugly clams levelled at Brisbane Broncos star
Mark Carroll has made a surprising confession about some of the antics.
NRL legend Mark Carroll says he doesn't have a problem with Reece Walsh or any other player wearing nail polish or sunglasses in the sheds - as long as they work hard and earn the right. The Brisbane Broncos started pre-season training in sweltering conditions this week, with new coach Michael Maguire keen to instil a new culture based around hard work and dedication.
The Broncos players have been accused of becoming 'rock stars' as they slid from grand finalists in 2023 to 12th on the NRL ladder this year. It's believed some of the players have gotten too big for their boots and had their egos inflated by the hype from adoring fans.
Maguire's biggest task if changing that culture and getting the players working hard and earning the right to be cocky and confident. Last month, leading reporter Dean Ritchie claimed Maguire wouldn't allow players to wear nail polish or sunglasses in the dressing rooms - things that Walsh has done in the past.
Walsh was seen wearing sunnies in the sheds before the grand final in 2023, but Ritchie predicted Maguire would crack down on the "arrogant" behaviour. "Madge will tip that club on its head and it needs to be tipped on its head. The egos are out of control,” Ritchie said on NRL 360. “You won’t see that (Reece Walsh wearing sunglasses in the dressing room at night). I’m telling you. And you won’t see nail polish on the fingers of the players either. Madge will say ‘you are kidding’.”
Braith Anasta added: “This is no disrespect to Reece, but do you think he (Maguire) will allow this in the sheds at a night game walking through with his Versace sunglasses on? I can’t visually see it or imagine it knowing Madge that he would allow that? I’m not saying that it’s the end of the world and Reece has got freedom of choice to do that. But I can’t see it happening. Can you see this happening with Madge as coach?
"I know it’s a bit judgmental but you look at Reece and think ‘he is confident this kid’. I like confidence and I like arrogance because you’ve got to have it to be one of the best players in our game. You need that arrogance and that confidence for belief and to think that you can dominate.”
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Part of Walsh's aura involves wearing nail polish, and he's often seen with bright colours on his fingertips. It always seems to rankle fans, but according to Carroll there's nothing wrong with it.
Speaking to SEN radio on Wednesday, the NRL hard-man said Walsh can wearing nail polish all he likes as long as he puts in the hard work and backs up the cockiness with his performances on the field. "It's ok to look flash but you've got to be able to do the hard work as well," Carroll said.
"I don't mind seeing the finger polish or the make-up because these guys can play. But off the field, pull your bloody head in. It's as simple as that. He is the most beautiful specimen I've seen on the footy field. The way he glides across the field, he reminds me of a greyhound."
Carroll expressed his love for Maguire and his disciplinarian ways, backing the new coach to shake things up as the Broncos look to snap a 19-year premiership drought. Maguire is already making waves, with several players vomitting after a gruelling session in 30-degree heat this week.
