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

June 8, 2026 — 4:06pm

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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........

© Brisbane Times