Reece Walsh has expressed disappointment at being overlooked for Queensland's State of Origin team, but the Brisbane Broncos fullback has also made a candid admission about why he was left out.
"I know the standards it takes to play for Queensland and I'm honest with myself. I probably haven't been living up to those standards," Walsh said.
"That's what makes it so great. Once you put that jersey on, you know what it takes to get back there.
"I'm a realist and I understand I haven't been upholding those standards, but it's about putting in the hard work at training and relaying that back onto the field.
"If I keep working hard in those areas, I'm sure the opportunity will come again."
The 23-year-old was omitted from the Maroons squad for game one of the series, with Kalyn Ponga preferred at fullback. There was also no bench spot for Walsh, with Broncos teammates Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki named but not used in the 22-20 loss to New South Wales.
Shibasaki has since been ruled out for the remainder of the Origin series due to a knee injury, while Mam has been dropped to Brisbane's bench for Saturday night's home match against the Gold Coast Titans. This opens a window for Walsh to press his case for a recall and add to his five Maroons appearances.
Last year, in the corresponding fixture against the Titans, Walsh produced a standout performance that sparked a remarkable late-season surge. He is now hoping to replicate that form.
"It'd be nice to be in that arena and be amongst the Queenslanders again, but my full focus right now is playing good footy for the Broncos and working really hard here in this building. Whatever comes, comes," Walsh said.
"I feel like I'm working hard on my standards and the areas I need to improve in. I'm not a selector and I'm not the one who makes the call, so that's up to them."
Walsh's attacking numbers have dipped this season compared to his brilliant 2025 campaign, when he helped drive the Broncos to the premiership. He is averaging 121 metres per game, his lowest in four years at the club and down from 148 metres last season. He also has six try assists in nine matches, well below the 26 he managed in 21 games last year.
Walsh returned from a four-week absence due to a fractured cheekbone, but the Broncos have lost all four games since his comeback. However, the team's struggles are not solely his fault, as several teammates have also been out of form.
He wore modified headgear until last week's 30-26 loss to St George Illawarra and appeared to lack his usual spark. "I wouldn't say it's a confidence issue. I go out there with a blueprint for how I play footy," Walsh said.
"It was sore at times, but I've had the injury before and I understand it and can push through it."
The Broncos will wear their black NRL mental health round jersey against the Titans, a cause close to Walsh's heart. "I think it's a conversation starter for people out there who might be going through something," he said.
"Whether that be on the field, off it, on a construction site or at school for young kids, it's really important that we spread awareness and the message that it's OK to be vulnerable and talk to your mate."
