Queensland Selector Reveals Key Reason for Reece Walsh’s Omission from State of Origin Squad
Queensland selector Darren Lockyer has opened up about the decision to leave Reece Walsh out of the State of Origin squad, citing the player’s facial injury and subsequent drop in confidence as the main factors. The move has sparked significant debate, especially after Walsh was not even included in the 20-man squad for Game 1, with Kalyn Ponga taking his place at fullback.
Walsh suffered a fractured cheekbone during Round 5 of the NRL season and missed a month of play. He returned in Round 9, but has been wearing protective headgear and a face guard since then. Despite his efforts to return to form, the selection panel—comprising Lockyer, Billy Slater, and Gene Miles—has expressed concerns about his confidence and overall performance in recent weeks.
Speaking to The Courier Mail, Lockyer explained that confidence plays a crucial role in high-stakes games like State of Origin. “Going into a big Origin game with confidence, it plays a huge factor,” he said. “Reece is coming back from a month off. The Broncos are struggling a bit for form, and we just felt that Kalyn is playing in a winning team at the moment. He is a big contributor to that and he is just in almost career-best form.”
Lockyer also highlighted that while the panel acknowledges Walsh’s capabilities, the key now is for him to respond to the disappointment and focus on regaining his best form. “We know what Reece is capable of. The key now for Reece is how he responds to the disappointment and focuses on getting back to playing his best footy.”
Walsh had been the standout player in the NRL at the end of 2025, but his start to 2026 hasn’t been as strong. Since his facial injury, he hasn’t been at his best, which has raised questions about his readiness for the intense pressure of State of Origin.
Walsh’s Conversation with Billy Slater
Earlier this week, former NRL player James Maloney revealed that Walsh had told Slater he wasn’t 100 per cent. “To me that makes sense,” Maloney said. “I don’t know why else you’d leave him out, and I don’t think Billy would leave him out if he was alright. But if he’s said I’m not quite right then [Slater] went ‘OK, I’ll leave you (out of the team)’.”
Maloney added that he believes Walsh still has a chance to be involved in Game 2 and Game 3. “If you’re not 100 per cent confident and you have to put your body on the line and you’re concerned about it, it would be a problem.”
Lockyer Confirms Walsh Remains in Frame
Despite being left out of the initial squad, Lockyer confirmed that Walsh is still in the frame for selection in the remainder of the series. “He’s still part of the plan,” Lockyer said. “We want to see how he responds and whether he can get back to his best form.”
This decision highlights the delicate balance between form, confidence, and performance in elite sports. While Walsh’s injury and its impact on his confidence have played a major role in his omission, there is still hope that he could make a strong comeback in the upcoming games.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Walsh’s exclusion has brought attention to the challenges players face when returning from injury. It also underscores the importance of mental resilience in high-pressure environments like State of Origin. As the series progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if Walsh can regain his confidence and prove that he’s ready to step back into the spotlight.
