Reece Walsh is in the frame to come into a halves role for Queensland as coach Billy Slater revealed why he recalled the Brisbane whiz kid.
The 23-year-old has been named at No.18 for the Maroons for game two of the State of Origin series in Melbourne after playing five matches for Queensland in 2023 and 2024.
The incumbent Australia fullback and 2025 Clive Churchill Medal winner has not hit the heights of his stellar season last year where he inspired the Broncos to premiership glory.
He has been a member of an underperforming Broncos side that has lost all five games since returning from a facial fracture.
Walsh replaces Broncos teammate Ezra Mam on an extended bench for the June 17 showdown at the MCG.
Mam was not used in the 22-20 loss to NSW in game one where he was coverage for an injury in the halves.
While Walsh is a natural No.1, Slater kept the door open for a halves insertion if the Maroons were to suffer an injury to starting playmakers Cameron Munster and Sam Walker.
Walsh is in a similar boat to recalled North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi, listed at No.19, who is cover should an outside back need replacing.
"If Murray is needed to go on the field, whether it's the first or 60th minute, I don't think he'd be overawed," Slater said.
"He knows what it takes to be a Queenslander, as does Reece.
"That's a really important aspect of those positions because they are not easy to play. They are starting players for their club, but they're different roles in this team.
"You don't know where or if you will go on. You need the right headspace."
Slater, one of Queensland's greatest fullbacks, said he would "keep in house" the reasons why he elected to pick Walsh in the midst of a form dip but backed the star Bronco to do his job.
"I've got a great relationship with Reece that goes back to when he debuted for the Warriors," Slater said.
"He's built a really good game.
"If needed, I'm sure he'll go out there and perform."
Walsh is essentially cover should starting fullback Kalyn Ponga suffer an injury early and Slater said it was "the best thing for the footy team" that he take his place in a bench super-sub role.
The Maroons could also insert Walsh if they need a spark in attack should they fall behind and the series goes on the line.
