Melbourne fans may have made up around 30 per cent of the grand final crowd, but it felt much larger as boos rang out across Accor Stadium when Ezra Mam flashed on the big screen. It was a sign of how much emotion and attention the Brisbane Broncos have drawn this season, and at the heart of it all stands Reece Walsh.
In just a few years, Walsh has transformed from a prodigious talent into the face of the modern NRL an electric fullback whose influence now arguably surpasses even that of Nathan Cleary, the game’s most decorated halfback of recent times.
The Shift in Power
Cleary has long been regarded as the gold standard of NRL excellence a master tactician, a three-time premiership winner, and a player who controls games with surgical precision. But while Cleary’s influence is built on structure and control, Walsh’s brand of influence comes from chaos the thrilling, unpredictable, game-breaking kind that makes fans lean forward in their seats.
Walsh doesn’t just change matches; he changes moods. Every time he touches the ball, the stadium buzzes. His speed, vision, and off-the-cuff creativity redefine how fullbacks can influence the modern game. In a league increasingly dominated by defensive systems, Walsh represents freedom the ability to bend structure without breaking it.
The Face of a New Generation
At 23, Walsh is not just a star athlete he’s a brand. His off-field profile rivals that of Cleary, with social media reach, sponsorships, and youth appeal driving a new wave of fans into the NRL. His highlight reels trend globally within minutes, and kids across Queensland are already imitating his signature sidestep in backyard footy.
It’s this cultural impact beyond pure statistics that has made Walsh the NRL’s most influential figure. He doesn’t just win games; he draws attention to them.
Cleary’s Continued Reign and What It Means
None of this diminishes Cleary’s brilliance. The Penrith captain remains the NRL’s most complete footballer calm under pressure, ruthless in execution, and still the man you’d trust to guide a team in the dying moments of a grand final. But influence in 2025 isn’t just about control; it’s about connection, charisma, and the ability to shape narratives.
Cleary leads from the shadows. Walsh commands the spotlight.
The NRL’s Dual Era
What we’re witnessing isn’t a rivalry, but a generational overlap — the disciplined dominance of Cleary meeting the expressive chaos of Walsh. One symbolizes the past decade’s perfectionism; the other, the sport’s future energy.
And as boos, cheers, and camera flashes follow every move Walsh makes, one thing is clear: the NRL has entered a new era — one where Reece Walsh isn’t just a star.
