Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has backed fullback Reece Walsh to handle the emotions of grand final week and unleash his best against Penrith in the NRL decider.
The 21-year-old Broncos whiz kid had a well-publicised verbal altercation with a young Panthers fan on Friday but Walters said his No.1 was feeling as loved as ever ahead of his first ever match at a sold-out Accor Stadium.
“I am not going to give that any energy. This is a grand final,” Walters said of Friday’s stoush.
“Reece is fine. He is ready to go. He is just excited about tomorrow night.”
Brisbane’s exuberant and charismatic speed demon has been mobbed by Broncos fans in Sydney but half the spectators on Sunday will be trying to get under his skin.
“It’s beautiful down here, everyone is loving him. He is a very popular rugby league player,” Walters said.
“We are trying to keep him grounded. That’s very hard, but we’ll just let his football do the talking now.
“We have got through the hard part of the week for him. His best part is his playing and that’s only 24 hours away.”
Walsh has been unstoppable in recent months.
He had six line-break assists in the 42-12 win over the Warriors in the preliminary final, although the Panthers did contain Walsh in their 15-4 win in round 12.
Minimising the fullback’s impact will again be integral to Ivan Cleary’s game plan.
“Penrith are very good tactically so they will come up with some plans,” Walters said.
“It’s nearly impossible to eliminate all good players. It’s up to us … to bring Reece into the game and give him those opportunities.
“That’s why he is at the club and that’s why he has had such a good year because teams have tried to shut him down. They may be effective in some spaces, but sooner or later he is going to do something.”
Walters became emotional as he spoke to the media about the Broncos quest to end a 17-year premiership drought.
“I have always been emotional. I love this time of the year,” Walters said.
“I love being involved. I love that our team is still fighting and playing tomorrow night. That strikes a bit of an emotional chord with me, for sure.”
The coach said his players were excited but not daunted by the challenge of beating the back-to-back defending premiers.
“We haven’t been in this environment for a few years. At the Broncos … it’s in your makeup to be part of these big games,” Walters said.
“I like the fact that we haven’t played our best football yet. We will save it for the biggest stage tomorrow night.
“That is what excites me … how good this team can be.”
