Reece Walsh made an immediate statement in his State of Origin debut as the Maroons toppled the Blues 26-18 in game one at Adelaide Oval.
In the lead-up to the series opener, there was plenty of doubt around whether the 20-year-old was ready for the Origin arena and if his selection was the right choice at the expense of Kalyn Ponga.
Asked by Nine’s Darren Lockyer if the experience was everything he thought it would be, Walsh was ecstatic with his debut.
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“[It was] everything and more,” he said.
“When I was a little kid, I would dream to put on that Maroon jersey and I was full of nerves today. But I am very proud of the boys out there today and we got the job done.”
Billy fires back at critics over selection
Walsh paid tribute to Maroons coach Billy Slater – who has been a vocal supporter of Walsh – for having his back in camp.
“It was just about doing my job,” he said.
“Everyone is gonna question me, but Billy is a good coach and he had trust in me and I was confident throughout the week.
“Every session, he was pulling me in and giving me advice. One thing that stuck with me is he wanted me to be Reece Walsh, and that’s all I needed to be and that’s what the team needed me to be and to do my job.
“So, it wasn’t that hard. I just had to go out there and do my job for the team.”
Nestled in Walsh’s arms during his interview, dressed in maroon from head to toe, was his “little girl” Leila.
“She’s my rock,” he said.
“She’s the reason why I go out there and put on this jersey. I’m very grateful.”
Clearly sharing her dad’s pride in the iconic jersey, Leila quickly interrupted.
“I’ve got my jersey,” she said.
Addo-Carr late hit on Walsh sparks melee
Walsh received a frosty welcome to the Origin stage after Josh Addo-Carr took it upon himself to reprimand Walsh following an early collision with Tyson Frizell that triggered an all-in melee.
The Broncos star finished game one with 83 run metres, two linebreak assists and a try assist.
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