Former Broncos captain Alex Glenn says the superstar adulation and attention surrounding Reece Wash matches that of former cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams.
Walsh is one of the hottest properties in the NRL and in a rugby league-mad city like Brisbane, every move of his on and off the field comes with extra scrutiny.
Glenn says the status Walsh attracts in Brisbane is on another level compared to what he has seen in the game.
Glenn says the status Walsh attracts in Brisbane is on another level compared to what he has seen in the game.
“His status has been miles above anyone that’s ever been in rugby league,” Glenn told Sporting News’ Ebbs and Flows podcast.
“There’s times where the club have to get his own security for places, because he’s like Sonny Bill [Williams].
“I think this is the first sign our clubs had someone [with that status] with Reece Walsh coming into the game. The club has had to learn a lot in the last two years.
“Reecey didn’t ask for it, but when you get a good-looking fellow like him – tan skin, green eyes – and he’s killing it.”
“It [Walsh’s style of play] is entertaining, and our sport is an entertainer sport, so what he does for the game is amazing.”
It is something that can weigh heavily on someone, and perhaps on Walsh it has at times in a year where injuries have kept him from reaching full flight, but Glenn is full of praise for the fullback and his dedication to keep going.
“I know he’s still a young man, I’ve got to commend his resilience in terms of how he keeps picking himself up every single day,” Glenn said. “Because that can drain your energy systems.”
Walsh came through the junior system at Brisbane before breaking out at the New Zealand Warriors in 2021, with his hot form across the ditch earning him a big contract back at the Broncos last season.
The 22-year-old hit the ground running at Red Hill, scoring nine tries in 22 games as he helped lead the Broncos to a first Grand Final in eight years; he got an assist in that game to give the Broncos a 16-point lead over the Panthers, before it all fell apart in heartbreaking circumstances.
It has been a tougher year for Walsh due to injury, but he still managed to score 14 tries in as many games for the Broncos, who finished a lowly 12th.
As a result, Walsh and some of his young teammates have come in for criticism, yet Glenn says he is proud of how he has developed as he has seen him grow within the Broncos system.
“At the Christmas parties you get the rookie to be Santa, he was our Santa in our first year,” Glenn said.
“So my kids were getting presents from him dressed up as Santa, and now my daughter absolutely loves him!
“It’s cool to see him grow into the athlete that he is, but also as a father and as a person, it’s cool to be part of that journey.
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