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Reece Walsh and his coach, Michael Maguire, were seen sipping out of mini-porcelain toilets as the Brisbane Broncos celebrated their epic NRL Grand Final victory back in October.
The veteran coach, who became only the sixth manager to win titles with two different NRL clubs, and the flying fullback appear to have struck up a bond since Maguire arrived at the club.
But one sticking point in their relationship may be the subject of Walsh's brother after it came to light that Maguire had in fact sacked the fullback's older sibling, Zac, while he was in charge at the Rabbitohs, according to Fox League’s Jake Duke.
During his time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Maguire would cross paths with Walsh’s older brother Zac, who is now the junior president of the Nerang Roosters footy club on the Gold Coast.
Zac is understood to have spent some time playing for both the Souths' and Newcastle’s U20s sides.
Duke revealed to Fox League’s Ashes AM show that he had spoken to Zac during the Broncos’ NRL Grand Final celebrations. There, Zac revealed to Duke that Maguire had chosen to cut him because of his work ethic.
Reece Walsh (right) and his coach, Michael Maguire (left), were seen sipping out of mini-porcelain toilets as the Brisbane Broncos celebrated their epic NRL Grand Final victory back in October
The pair have gelled well together since Maguire (right) took over at the Broncos at the end of last year
Maguire had taken charge of South Sydney in 2012, guiding the side to their epic 2014 premiership win, before departing the club in 2017 to take up a role with New Zealand.
‘I was chatting to Reece Walsh’s brother at the Brisbane after-party following the grand final,’ Duke began. ‘His brother was a decent footballer.
‘He actually came down to Souths when Madge was coach, and Madge sacked his brother for being lazy and not having the work ethic.'
Despite what may be a sticking point, it appears no bad blood exists between the two brothers and the footy coach.
‘It shows they’ve come full circle,' Duke added. 'Now he’s working with Reece.’
In recent weeks, Zac has also travelled to England to watch his brother and team-mates seal a huge 3-0 victory against the Lions, with Reece making his international debut during the first Test at Wembley.
It’s been a fairytale few months for the 23-year-old Brisbane fullback, who, this season, scored 14 tries and 26 try assists across 21 appearances for the Broncos.
‘[It’s been] one of the great runs we’ve ever seen,’ Duke said, speaking on Walsh’s sensational vein of form.
Footy reporter Jake Duke (pictured with Eloise Sohier) claimed that Michael Maguire had sacked Walsh's older brother Zac
Zac (pictured holding Walsh) travelled to the UK to watch his brother lead the Kangaroos to a 3-0 series whitewash against England in the Rugby League Ashes
Zac, also a promising footballer, is understood to have been playing in the Bunnies and Newcastle's youth ranks when Maguire was in charge of the club
‘He’s tough too,’ Johns said. ‘We never talk about his toughness. During that finals series, the way he accelerated between defenders… incredible.’
While Walsh may have ruffled the feathers of his club this year, notably posting a clip of himself drinking water out of a toilet bowl while also being seen in a video punching his friend in the head in a bizarre boxing TikTok stunt, Johns believes they get on like a house on fire.
‘Madge [Michael Maguire] has said for all intents and purposes they’re like oil and water,’ Johns said, before adding: ‘But they get on fantastically because they’re both footy heads.
‘Madge said he’s never worked with a bloke who loves his football and wants to be better, more than Reece.
‘You look and go, “He’s just a natural footballer”, but he (Maguire) said he works so hard at his game.’
It’s not just former players and journalists who have been enamoured by the fullback.
Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo commended the Broncos star man for his brilliance on the field, before lauding him as a great parent.
'It's certainly a pleasure to play with him,' said Yeo. 'But, first and foremost, getting to know him, he's just an incredible human.
While Walsh may have ruffled the feathers of his club this year for several bizarre social media incidents, he has been a shining light for the Broncos and Australia
Footy great Matty Johns revealed Walsh (right) and Maguire (left) were both 'footy heads' and had bonded over their love of the game
'A great father, he's always on FaceTime to his daughter back home. He just cares. So I think that's a fair rap for a person.
'I just think he's really authentic. Behind the scenes, he's someone who really cares about the group, and I just think he does that really well.'
'Just the things he can do in a game, that bit of X-factor and class, there aren't many really that have that,' said Yeo.
'You need those kind of players in the game, and you just want him to be himself.'
