Coaching guru Phil Gould has provided an insight into the reason why Brisbane Broncos superstar Reece Walsh was snubbed from Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons squad, labelling a potential pairing featuring the fullback “too volatile” for State of Origin.
When the Maroons line up dropped for Game I, the biggest talking point across the rugby league world was Slater’s bold decision to overlook Walsh at fullback, instead opting for Kalyn Ponga.
Combined with the selection of Sydney Roosters‘ Sam Walker at halfback, the new-look spine sparked intense debate.
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Speaking on his podcast, Six Tackles with Gus, Gould explained that while the partnership of Daly Cherry-Evans and Walsh offered a perfect balance in the past, pairing Walsh with the equally unpredictable Walker would have been a recipe for chaos.
“I think it’s a brave, brave call,” said Gus.
“I don’t think you could have gone with Reece Walsh and Sam Walker.
Reece Walsh walks off the field. Getty
“I think that would have been way too volatile. Way too volatile.
“That Daly Cherry-Evans, Reece Walsh combination gives you a bit of the yin and yang, too, because you’ve got the controller and the older fellow and the fellow who’s just steady wheel them around, and the other bloke out there who’s firing shots like a machine gun every time he gets the ball, you know?
“So, I think he’s gone for more security at the back and for knowing that he’s got a very experienced player in Cameron Munster that can handle the mechanics of the game.
“It was interesting the way he selected it. I kind of thought he might go the other way with Cherry-Evans and Reece Walsh.
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Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga celebrate during game two of the Men’s State of Origin series between Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Optus Stadium on June 18, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Getty
“He’s gone with Ponga and Sam Walker. I can’t knock that at all. I think it’s exciting.”
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett offered a far more blunt assessment of the selection bombshell, admitting he would have made the exact same decision if he were in Slater’s shoes.
When asked straight-up by Ben Dobbin on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott whether he would have selected the Broncos fullback, Bennett didn’t hesitate.
“No,” Bennett said bluntly, confirming that a Walsh appointment would not have been on his radar for the series opener.
State of Origin I is set for Sydney on Wednesday night.