Broncos megastar Reece Walsh has vowed to rein in his social media shenanigans and “set the right example” for kids as Brisbane closes in on the start of its NRL premiership defence.
Walsh put together a late-season stretch of football in 2025 that drew comparisons with Jarryd Hayne’s 2009, Ben Barba’s 2012 and Tom Trbojevic’s 2021 — individual campaigns regarded among the greatest in rugby league history.
But the electric fullback also made headlines for the wrong reasons, first by punching his best mate in the head with a boxing glove in a prank filmed for TikTok, and then with a bizarre stunt in which he filmed himself drinking toilet water.
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In a wide-ranging interview with 9News Queensland ahead of Friday night’s clash with Penrith at Suncorp Stadium, a question was thrown in about his rogue social media activity.
“I think it’s just me being myself,” the 23-year-old said.
“Obviously being smarter about what I do and trying to set the right example [is important].
“At the end of the day, I want to be true to myself and always be myself, [but] obviously not where kids are putting themselves in danger or harming themselves.
“[It’s about] trying to be me but not [going] too far.”
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Champion halfback Adam Reynolds will again captain the Broncos in 2026 — his final season in the NRL.
Workhorse forward Patrick Carrigan is widely tipped to step up as captain once the diminutive general is retired at season’s end.
Walsh feels he has his own leadership potential.
“As a player you always want to grow and get better,” he said.
“I feel as though I do have leadership traits in me, but also not trying to rush those sorts of things [is key]. I don’t think you can rush people into those roles; it just sort of happens naturally.
“You feel comfortable to have a voice, and voice that as much as you can.”
Reece Walsh after his Clive Churchill Medal-winning display in the 2025 NRL grand final. Getty
Walsh was at his destructive best last year in Brisbane’s grand final triumph over Melbourne, in which he claimed the Clive Churchill Medal, and during Australia’s 3-0 Ashes whitewash against England in the UK.
He’s coming off a year that’ll be nigh on impossible to exceed.
“I think for myself it’s trying to get the foundations of my game strong,” Walsh said.
“I might not always get the three try assists or five try assists or score a million tries … but if I know as a teammate I’ve got those foundations right and I’m putting in the effort and making sure my effort areas are all right and in a good place, I don’t really care what people say.”