Reece Walsh has revealed the words of wisdom from coach Michael Maguire that transformed the Broncos’ season, and made him a better father away from footy. Walsh produced one of the great grand final performances on Sunday night as the Broncos came back to stun the Melbourne Storm 26-22.
The 23-year-old silence a lot of critics with a try, three assists and a stunning late tackle on Ryan Papenhuyzen that saved the game. Remarkably, NRL legends Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer have both declared it the best individual performance they’ve ever seen.
Michael Maguire’s (R) words helped Reece Walsh (L) be a better father off-field, before he returned with an almighty bang on it. Image: Reece Walsh/AAP
Not only did Walsh save the grand final, but he also saved their season when they were struggling halfway through the year. Maguire’s side were languishing in 11th spot after four-straight losses back in June, with Walsh sidelined due to a knee injury.
But when he returned he inspired Brisbane to 13 wins in their remaining 16 games, and his final two months of the season were nothing short of spectacular. The jury was still out when Walsh destroyed the Titans, Knights, Rabbitohs and Cowboys, with many pointing out the low quality of his opposition.
But he then repeated the trick against the Storm (twice), Raiders and Panthers to lead the Broncos to their first premiership in 19 years. When asked on Sunday night what he put it down to, Walsh joked it was “drinking out of a toilet” – a reference to his social media gag last month.
Michael Maguire’s words of wisdom that changed Reece Walsh
But he then got serious and revealed it was Maguire’s advice for how he should be treating his injury layoff that turned him around. Walsh admitted he was spending way too much time looking at footy and pouring over video while at home, and not enough on young daughter Leila.
“When I got injured, I got a lot of time away from the boys and that was from Madge telling me that when I’m at home, be at home and enjoy those moments,” Walsh said. “At the start of the year I was so heavily invested in footy, which is obviously a good thing, but sometimes it gets a little bit too much.
“You’re sitting up at night watching film at home and my little one’s there playing and I’m on my phone, looking at clips from training. So when I got that injury, I reset. I let myself be the footy player at work, and then when I’m at home, I just enjoyed being dad.
“I enjoyed being a son to my old man. We got on the tools together. I had the mentality of, when I’m in the building, work hard and when I’m out, enjoy my time. But when it’s time to switch on, it’s time to switch on.”
Reece Walsh and Michael Maguire celebrate after winning the NRL grand final. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
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Not only did it make Walsh a more present father to Leila, it also freed his mind when he returned. “No one gave us a chance and the only ones that believed were the ones in the room and us players,” he said.
“Our backs were against the wall and we could have shied away, but we went towards those moments. I’m just so honoured and grateful to be a part of this team. It’s been 19 years and we’ve just etched our names in history. So I’m extremely honoured.”
with AAP