Reece Walsh opens up about toll of 'Reece Mania' as fullback addresses Michael Maguire claim

Reece Walsh says he "doesn't care" about his star power at Red Hill and insists there is no bad blood between him and new coach Michael Maguire despite the fullback being targeted and infamously knocked out in Game 1 of this year's State of Origin series. Earlier this year Maguire ended up leading the Blues to Origin glory over Walsh and the Maroons. But former Queensland legends accused the then-NSW coach of deliberately targeting the superstar fullback after he was smashed by Joseph Suaalii just seven minutes into the series opener.

At the time, Maguire could not have imagined he would be coaching the superstar fullback just six months later, leading many to speculate that there would surely still be some tension between the pair. But Walsh insists he had no issue with his treatment during the Origin series and says he is excited to be working under the veteran coach as he looks to help get the Broncos back into finals footy after signing a new four-year deal with the club last month.

Asked what it was like to be mentored by a coach who put a target on his head, Walsh chuckled saying: "It's good". "From the chats we’ve had already, there’s been some really honest conversations and those are the conversations you want to have to get better," Walsh continued.

"It’s pretty cool hearing them (feedback) and him going up against myself in those arenas. Me and ‘Madge’ (Maguire) had a few chats before we got it (his new contract) done. I was just glad he wanted to keep me here for five more years. Madge sees that in me and that’s exciting. I will keep building each session and each week."

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Reece Walsh not fazed by 'Reece Mania'

The flashy fullback says Maguire had already given him some key advice that if he can put it into action, will end the "rocks or diamonds" displays he has been well-known for in his short NRL career to date. Walsh struggled to hit the heights in 2024 that he had in the previous season as the Broncos made a charge into the NRL grand final.

The 22-year-old lost his way somewhat last season and there was a widespread belief that it could be at least partially due to off-field distractions. The fullback is the biggest star in Red Hill by a fair margin and his social media following reflects that, with his accounts ballooning to more than half a million fans.

It is safe to say 'Reece Mania' has well and truly swept through Red Hill, with extra security put in place to get the fullback in and out of training as Broncos fans do almost anything to get a glimpse of their star man. Addressing the situation this week, Walsh said he is not bothered by the extra attention but in an ideal world, he wishes he could just go in and do his job and then go home to be with his three-year-old daughter Leila.

“I come in here each day and work hard on being a footballer,” he said. "I can’t control stuff that happens out there (outside of the Broncos), I don’t really care."