Source : ABC NEWS
Reece Walsh’s first two Origin games as a 20-year-old in 2023 were phenomenal.
Later that year, he sparked the Broncos within a couple minutes of a premiership, then struggled in 2024 and early in 2025, during which he was snubbed for selection for Origin III, before leading Brisbane to grand final glory with one of the greatest runs we’ve ever seen by an NRL player.
But this year has been another rocks-and-diamonds type season from the mercurial fullback, who admitted on Wednesday his form hadn’t warranted an Origin call-up.
“I know the standards it takes to play for Queensland and I’m honest with myself. I probably haven’t been living up to those standards,” he said.
“That’s what makes [State of Origin] so great. Once you put that [Maroons] jersey on, you know what it takes to get back there. I’m a realist and I understand I haven’t been upholding those standards.”
Now, if he wasn’t good enough for a bench spot in Game I, I’m not sure what his performances in Brisbane’s woeful losses to the Dragons and Titans did to convince Billy Slater he was ready now.
Maybe Slater just wants a Walsh with something to prove.
