How Walsh usurped Mam into Maroons fold in bid to salvage Origin series

When Reece Walsh was summoned into Queensland Maroons camp two years ago, he was seen separated from the main group, deep in conversation with coach Billy Slater.

As the rest of the group trained on the far side of the Red Hill fields, Slater – arguably the greatest fullback in rugby league history – appeared to be guiding the rising Broncos sensation on the intricacies of the role.

The duo’s rapport goes back to when Walsh made his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors, as alluded to by Slater when he announced the 23-year-old had been chosen on his six-man bench for game two of the State of Origin series on June 17. 

While Walsh’s patchy form in a languishing Broncos side has been a far cry from the exploits that delivered Brisbane a premiership last year, Slater has been quick to affirm a Walsh at his best is one of the game’s most lethal propositions.

Their dynamic holds the key to two talking points: whether Walsh can be the interchange livewire needed for Queensland to keep the series alive after their heartbreaking loss in game one, and whether Slater’s magic touch can reignite the season of the reigning Clive Churchill Medal winner.

Aside from a scintillating second half against the Roosters when the Broncos went close to mounting a fightback from a 30-0 deficit, the incumbent Kangaroos No.1 has had his commitment and confidence called into question since returning from a fractured cheekbone five weeks ago.

Before Saturday’s shock defeat to the Titans, Walsh had made eight handling errors in four games, while averaging just 106 running metres an outing.

But while he was unable to spearhead a win against the Gold Coast – speculation looming around his fitness after being burned by a runaway Phil Sami, and his mindset after being beaten to a kick before Keano Kini’s game-winning try – it was the most composed he had looked with ball in hand.

Walsh ran for 254 metres from 28 runs in an active performance, adding 10 tackle busts to his name, while his late cutout pass for Josiah Karapani went within a whisker of salvaging a last-minute triumph. He also did not miss a tackle, in a season that has statistically been the best defensive campaign of his career.

Slater would not touch on his motivation behind bringing Walsh back into the fold, or confirm if he would be used in any capacity.

Asked if Slater made the right call in selecting Walsh, Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds backed it.

“We all know what Walshy’s best football looks like,” he said.

“He’s certainly going to be dangerous if he gets on the field … and he’s earned that jersey through what he’s done in the past.

“He’s still doing a lot of great things for us out on the field week in, week out. He’s under the microscope from the media and everyone else, but we love what Walshy brings.”

Walsh’s call-up comes at the expense of Broncos teammate Ezra Mam, who was relegated to the club’s bench for the 28-23 loss to the Titans – their fifth in a row – and has drawn criticism for his final play.

After Walsh orchestrated Karapani’s break to get Brisbane deep into Gold Coast territory, Mam decided to grubber kick – batted dead by Kini – instead of shifting wide.

Until that point, the five-eighth had sparked his side into gear – running for 100 metres in a 35-minute two-part stint, including a linebreak that laid the foundation for Kotoni Staggs’ first-half try.

Reynolds delivered an emphatic defence of Mam and shut down the naysayers.

“The critics out there who haven’t played rugby league can pause the screen at certain moments and say ‘he should’ve done this, he should’ve done that’, but those same people in that situation probably wouldn’t be where he is,” Reynolds said.

“We love everything that he brings to this football team.

“He’s a quality player and from time to time we do make mistakes as players. It’s easy to sit there and pick the game apart from the couch, but when you’re out there it’s a different feeling.

“I thought he was outstanding once he got on the field, he did a lot of great things for us.

“He narrowed his mindset throughout the week in the way he wanted to go about his business, and I thought he did that.

“Without him, you never know, maybe we wouldn’t have been in that position anyway.”