Kangaroos and Broncos superstar Reece Walsh’s brother Zac was sacked by Brisbane coach Michael Maguire at the Rabbitohs in a full circle moment for the player and coach.
Jake Duke revealed on Fox League’s Ashes AM, that Walsh’s brother was a talented footballer, but was axed by Maguire for being lazy during his time as South Sydney coach.
“I was chatting to Reece Walsh’s brother at the Brisbane after-party after the grand final, and his brother was a decent footballer,” Duke said on Fox League’s Ashes AM.
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“He actually came down to Souths when Madge was coach, and Madge sacked his brother for being lazy and not having the work ethic. He was a talented footballer.
“It shows they’ve come full circle. Now he’s working with Reece.”
However, there are no hard feelings between Zac and Maguire, after he celebrated the Broncos’ grand final win and travelled to England to watch his brother debut for the Kangaroos.
Zac is the junior president of the Nerang Roosters football club on the Gold Coast, which was Reece’s junior club.
Matty Johns noted Maguire’s comments that he and Walsh could not be more different, but the star player and coach get on so well through their shared passion for rugby league.
“Madge has said for all intents and purposes they’re like oil and water. But they get on fantastic because they’re both footy heads,” Johns said.
“Madge said he’s never worked with a bloke who loves his football and wants to be better, more than Reece.
“You look and go, ‘He’s just a natural footballer’, but he (Maguire) said he works so hard at his game.”
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Zac and Reece Walsh celebrating.Source: FOX SPORTS
Walsh capped the best season of his career for the Broncos with a premiership and an Australian debut in the 3-0 Ashes series sweep.
Duke pointed out the crazy numbers Walsh has produced in one of the greatest runs of form in NRL history.
“Reece’s numbers — 11 tries, 100 points, 12 try assists, 24 line break assists — that’s over his last 10 games (for) club and country,” Duke said.
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Michael Maguire sacked Reece Walsh’s brother.Source: News Corp Australia
Apart from his sparkling attack, Johns believes Walsh doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his toughness.
“He’s tough too,” Johns said.
“We never talk about his toughness. During that finals series, the way he accelerated between defenders … incredible.”
Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo was excited to play with Walsh in his debut series after the Broncos star knocked his Panthers out of the finals.
But Yeo has been struck by how much of a family man Walsh is away from the field.
“It’s certainly a pleasure to play with him,” Yeo said of Walsh.
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“But, first and foremost, getting to know him, he’s just an incredible human. A great father, he’s always on the FaceTime to his daughter back home.
“He just cares. So I think that’s a fair rap for a person. I just think he’s really authentic. In behind the scenes, he’s someone who really cares about the group, and I just think he does that really well.”