NRL 2022: Reece Walsh ‘uneasy’ at Warriors, eyes homecoming with Broncos or Dolphins

The COVID-affected New Zealand Warriors are based in Redcliffe for this season’s NRL competition. NRL wonder boy Reece Walsh may just stay. Multiple sources have told News Corp that Walsh is feeling unsettled at the Warriors and will end up at either the Dolphins or Brisbane Broncos sooner rather than later. Walsh, 19, has not sought a release and has another two years officially remaining on his current Warriors contract. While rejoining Brisbane would appear to be his long-term preference, it is understood the Dolphins sit as favourites to secure the gun youngster. There is a feeling of inevitability that Walsh and his young family will return to Queensland. The only question is when. Walsh will definitely play with the Warriors this year but NRL clubs continue to hear speculation the star fullback may consider an early move back to a Queensland club for family reasons. While any early move will be denied, one well-positioned source suggested Walsh was feeling “uneasy” at the Warriors. Walsh has a clause in his favour for 2024. The Warriors have pushed Walsh hard during the off-season and pre-season, aware he will play a significant role in the club’s desperate push for the 2022 finals. Gold Coast would be another option for Walsh moving forward but the club has a sound supply of young halves. Walsh may baulk at returning to the Broncos given the club allowed him to controversially walk out last year to the Warriors. Walsh left Brisbane after being told he would be held back from playing NRL by head coach Kevin Walters. Within seven NRL games last year as a Warrior, Walsh established himself as a rising star and was selected to play State of Origin II for Queensland, only to withdraw through a leg injury. He did not play game three. Walsh joined the Warriors at their Terrigal base on April 12 last year and played six days later, ironically, for feeder club Redcliffe in the Intrust Super Cup. The Warriors are committed to playing this season in Redcliffe due to an unworkable 10-day quarantine period for travellers moving between New Zealand and Australia. In all likelihood, the Warriors will return home to Auckland from next season. Clubs are curious whether Walsh and his family will leave Australia after this year to relocate to New Zealand. Gold Coast-born Walsh and his partner, Freda Puru, have a one-year-old daughter, Leila Arohamauroa. Despite his age, Walsh has found trouble off the field. He was fined $400 fine and placed on a nine-month good behaviour bond after admitting possessing cocaine during an end-of-season night out last year on the Gold Coast. Walsh pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and contravening a move-on order at Surfers Paradise on September 25.