- The 22-year-old now has the richest deal in club history
- Fullback will now stay with the Broncos until 2029
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has made a shocking comment after signing a record-breaking contract that will make him a multi-millionaire and keep him at the club until the end of 2029.
The 22-year-old was already on the Broncos’ books until 2025, but they have taken action to keep the Queensland representative off the market and hand new coach Michael Maguire the best news since he officially took charge last week.
Walsh signed the four-year, $5 million deal with his daughter Leila on Thursday, then referenced scandal-hit teammate Ezra Mam as he explained why he penned the richest contract in club history.
The fact that Broncos Walsh, Mam, Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan struck a pact to break Brisbane’s premiership drought played a big role in him deciding not to test his worth on the open market.
“I wanted to stay here because of the group,” Walsh said.
“Some of those boys who were in tough times are now growing into senior players.
“As long as we keep working hard and building really good habits, if we stick together and have the same goal of winning a premiership, we can do it.”
The comments will raise eyebrows as Mam’s future at the club is up in the air after he reportedly failed a roadside drug test after crashing into an Uber, leaving the other driver and a mother and daughter injured.
Reece Walsh signs his four-year deal worth $5 million – the richest in Brisbane Broncos history – on Thursday
After putting pen to paper, Walsh spoke about the role his scandal-hit teammate Ezra Mam (pictured together) played in his decision to stay at the club.
Mum is under investigation by Queensland Police and the NRL Integrity Unit, and Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has not ruled out being sacked depending on the results.
Walsh was instrumental in Brisbane’s run to the 2023 Grand Final, making his State of Origin debut for Queensland in a 2–1 series victory that same year.
The 2024 season was disrupted when Walsh was shut out twice and missed multiple games, before suffering a broken hand at the end of the year as the Broncos faded to finish 12th.
He played only fourteen games and, like most of his teammates, failed to gain any continuity in his play.
Walsh has already completed his own training at Broncos headquarters ahead of a tough pre-season under Maguire, which will begin with the team’s first run on Monday.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Madge and hard work is something he talks about a lot. I can’t wait to get back with the boys and get started together,” Walsh said.
“As a player you want to win and be part of the Broncos, that’s expected. It’s a huge club with great members and fans, and also great people working at the club… so you’re playing for more than just yourself.
Walsh posted a photo of himself celebrating the mega deal with his daughter Leila
“We didn’t have the best year last year and we’re all looking forward to getting back to work and working really hard for each other and getting the Broncos back to where the club deserves to be.”
Walsh played two seasons with the Warriors, but is a product of the Broncos academy system that has produced so much of the current crop.
He said signing his new deal was always his intention given his history and longstanding loyalty.
“I’ve wanted to play for the Broncos since I was a little kid, so I’m really excited to be here and looking forward to starting preseason,” he said.
‘I want to be someone who works hard, someone who brings success, someone who helps bring premierships to this great club, but first and foremost I have to be a good person off the field too.’