Reece Walsh will spend the off-season preparing for a season of redemption in 2022 after getting an all-too-close look at how quickly dreams and opportunity can evaporate in rugby league.

Walsh enjoyed a stellar breakout season in 2021 after being given a release by the Broncos to chase an opportunity to play first grade with the Warriors.

He took that opportunity with both hands, making the Warriors’ fullback spot his own with several eye-catching displays that resulted in Kiwi league legend Roger Tuivasa-Scheck selflessly offering to play out of position on the wing so that Walsh could continue his development in the No.1 jersey.

Just six games into his NRL career, Walsh incredibly found himself on one of the most meteoric rises in State of Origin history when Queensland coach Paul Green named the rookie to make his debut for the Maroons in Origin II.

But that emotional rollercoaster took an unexpected dip just 24 hours before kick-off, when Walsh injured his hamstring at the captain’s run – ruling him out of the game and killing his dream of an Origin debut in 2021.

If that was not enough turmoil for the young gun – who didn’t turn 19 until four days before Origin III – Walsh then watched his NRL career flash before his eyes in October when he was arrested by Queensland police in possession of cocaine during a night out on the Gold Coast.
Walsh was fined $5000 and banned for two games by the NRL.

It was an unfortunate stain on a remarkable breakout season which saw Walsh burst onto the NRL scene at the Warriors in April, just a month after his shock decision to quit the Broncos.
Walsh accepts he has to earn back the respect of the Warriors and Queensland hierarchy following his indiscretion, but the teenage sensation has vowed to atone for his sins next season and finally clinch that Maroons jumper.
“I haven’t forgotten what happened because it did take a toll on me,” he said. “It was a massive wake-up call.

“It’s been a pretty crap thing to go through, but it happened and I have to move forward and show everyone who I am as a person.
“It’s been a massive learning curve and something I never want to happen again. I have to bounce back from this.
“It feels like a dream being called up for the Queensland team.
“Every time I think about what a dream it was (to make his debut) … I woke up from the dream unable to play.”
Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster has declared Walsh is so talented he will become a 30-game Origin legend, if he can keep himself on the straight and narrow.
But Walsh also has support from the game’s decision makers, including Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher, who is hopeful Walsh enjoys a decorated Origin career in Maroon.
“I don”t have any doubt that Reece is a future superstar of the game,” Hatcher said.
“His issue was dealt with by the courts and the NRL, and I hope it’s a lesson he has truly learned.
“Reece is still only young and if he takes the key lessons from making this mistake, he can become a great player for many years for Queensland and the NRL.”