Reece Walsh will see out the remainder of the NRL season with the Warriors, before returning to the Broncos.
Warriors CEO Cameron George says it wasn’t in the interest of the club to allow Reece Walsh to join the Storm for the remainder of the season and he’s not going to change his mind before the August 1 deadline.
The Storm made an audacious attempt to prize Walsh away from the Warriors before the end of the season, hoping that as his current club have no chance of making the top eight and is leaving to join the Broncos next year, they might be able to pick him up.
The Storm are in desperate need to a quality fullback having lost Ryan Papenhuyzen for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
But George says he’s knocked back a couple of approaches from the Storm and Walsh will play out the season with the Warriors.
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“I’ve been approached by the club and I had no interest whatsoever to fire sale off a player, just because of our spot on the ladder,” George said.
David Neilson/photosport
Reece Walsh’s personal situation changed recently, which is why he wants to be based solely in Brisbane.
“It’s important to remember Reece was committed to our club and the only reason that commitment has changed is through a series of conversations we’ve had and that was done on very significant personal grounds, that he wanted to be with his daughter all the time.”
Following the breakdown of his relationship with long-term partner and the mother of their daughter, Leila, the 20-year-now wants to remain in the Brisbane area, so that he can stay a part of her life.
If Walsh’s relationship situation hadn’t changed, he would have played out next year in Auckland with the Warriors and potentially taken up the option in his contract to be with them for 2024.
“That’s the only reason why Reece is leaving our footy club. It never crossed my mind to think we’d let him go to another club now.” George said.
“That’s not right for our fans and sponsors, because we still want to win every game we can and he’ll play a part in that.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Cameron George says it’s not in the best interest of the Warriors to part ways with Reece Walsh before the end of the season.
“It’s been an absolute no from the word go. I’ve told the Storm that, I keep reading it, but it’s not changing.”
Coincidently, Walsh will play at fullback against the Storm at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.
The Storm last enquired about Walsh on Friday of last week. But for him to go to Melbourne it would mean he’d be away from his daughter for the rest of the season.
With the Warriors still based in Redcliffe for the remainder of the current campaign, Walsh can spend time with Leila outside of training.
“We want Reece at the club, the only reason we’ve allowed Reece to leave our footy club is because of that significant personal reason,” George reiterated.
“We don’t then want to see him trot off to another state and live down there for a period of time. It flies in the face of why we’re letting him go in the first place.
“So whilst I feel for Melbourne and their injury situation, it happens to every club at some stage and it’s not in the best interest of this club to let Reece go and that’s what matters most to me, so that’s it.”
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson, didn’t have a problem with the Storm trying to nab one of the club’s best players, however he doesn’t want him to leave.
“I don’t think it’s disrespectful [by the Storm]. It’s smart, they want to win a comp and they want the best players to do that.
“He’s a player that a lot of clubs would like to have out the back.
“Obviously, we’d love to keep him for the year,” Johnson added.
“He’s made the decision to head home next season for family reasons, so I can’t see why he’d head to Melbourne for the rest of this year.”
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