Reece Walsh pays touching tribute to daughter Leila after winning premiership

Digital Staff
7NEWS Sport
Reece Walsh has paid tribute to daughter Leila after winning the grand final.
Reece Walsh has paid tribute to daughter Leila after winning the grand final. Credit: Instagram

Reece Walsh has paid a touching tribute to daughter Leila after enjoying the spoils of Brisbane’s NRL premiership together last Sunday.

The Broncos fullback was dominant in the 26-22 grand final win over Melbourne before being named one of the most deserving Clive Churchill medallists in history.

Walsh soaked it up in the aftermath, poking fun at his toilet water saga and jabbing Storm rivals for their pre-match comments.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

In between he celebrated with four-year-old Leila and has now reflected on her impact on his football and life.

“My strength through it all,” Walsh wrote.

“I won the day you entered my life, the rest is just a bonus.”

Walsh was the same age as his daughter is now when the Broncos had last won the grand final in 2006 — and that memory sticks with him.

“As a four-year-old kid all I wanted to do was play for the club,” he told AAP last Sunday.

“When I think about all the greats, I feel honoured.

“I feel like this is a bit of redemption for the 2015 and 2023 teams (that lost grand finals) and for every single person that lives and bleeds for this club. We did it for them.

“It’s been 19 years and we’ve just etched our names in history.”

Walsh said a desire to be tough for his Brisbane “brothers” helped inspire a performance quickly rated among the great grand final showings.

Nathan Cleary’s famous 2023 performance to sink the Broncos is widely regarded as one of the finest Clive Churchill Medal efforts, with Walsh on the losing end that time.

Luke Priddis’s masterclass in 2003, Cooper Cronk’s showing in 2012 and Billy Slater’s blitz in 2017 regularly rank among the other top ones.

But while recency bias can be a factor, the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Phil Gould have all ranked Walsh’s effort this year as the new No.1.

Always known as an electric attacking player, Walsh’s epic 30m try when he beat five men was an instant grand final classic in the first half.

He also set up three tries, but it was the three try-saving plays he made in the second half that ultimately proved just as vital.

“I am not known for the tough stuff but I did all of that for them tonight,” Walsh said.

“They are my brothers. I play for them and I will do anything for them. I have so much respect for all of them and I will do whatever it takes.

“I am blessed to be part of the team.”

It is no exaggeration to say Walsh saved not only Brisbane’s grand final, but their season.

The Broncos were struggling in 11th spot when the 23-year-old returned from a knee injury in June and inspired Brisbane to 13 wins in their remaining 16 games.

His demolition of Gold Coast was a sight to watch on return, and set the tone for an end-of-season that included match-defining displays against Canberra, Penrith and Melbourne.

- with AAP

Originally published on 7NEWS Sport

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 10-10-2025

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 10 October 202510 October 2025

PM and Wong praise Trump while claiming Australia’s efforts also helped secure Gaza ceasefire.