Ed Sheeran’s Sydney Appearances Outnumber Reece Walsh’s in 18 Months
It might come as a surprise to many, but English music star Ed Sheeran has performed in front of Sydneysiders more frequently than Brisbane Broncos’ star Reece Walsh over the past 18 months. Sheeran played three times at Accor Stadium in February, while even legendary rock band AC/DC managed two shows at the same venue during the summer. This number of appearances matches exactly how many times Walsh has played in Sydney since the start of the 2025 season.
The last time Walsh played on Sydney soil before this year was during the first Origin match of 2024, when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off after knocking him out just seven minutes into the game. Now, coming back from a fractured cheekbone and a foot injury, Walsh will make his third appearance in Sydney since the start of last year when the Broncos take on the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Walsh featured in the club’s round-one victory over the Roosters last year, then didn’t play in Sydney again until the grand final against Melbourne. A knee injury last year meant he missed games against Souths and Manly at Accor Stadium and 4 Pines Park respectively, while he also missed a come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs due to Origin duties.
This season, the Broncos have only played one game in Sydney, at Campbelltown, which Walsh missed due to injury. Despite this, Walsh still has a massive following south of the Queensland border. Young fans have been known to line up for over an hour to get a photo of him before he boarded the team bus, and in 2024, schoolgirls even ran across a busy street in Parramatta to get a selfie when they spotted the fullback having coffee.
Stadium officials are expecting a crowd of close to 25,000 for Saturday night’s game, with Walsh’s return being a significant factor in boosting attendance. Broncos coach Michael Maguire expressed surprise at the limited number of games Walsh has played in Sydney since taking charge of the premiers.
A plate inserted into Walsh’s face means he is less prone to suffering any fresh fractures, and the foot injury he suffered at home a couple of weeks ago, which required several stitches on the bottom of his foot, has fully recovered.
“That’s a pretty amazing stat about Sydney games – everyone appreciates a quality footballer, and ‘Reecy’ is certainly one of them,” Maguire told this masthead.
“He’s got so much more to do in the game, and you have to remember he’s only 23. He’s now coming into the best years of his footy career.
“He’s a really humble human. He has a beautiful daughter, he’s a family man – he spends a lot of time with his family.
“He [now] understands his game better than he has; he knows when to inject himself. Everyone sees the flashy plays and incredible moments Reece does, but he wants to be one of those top-end players who is consistent week in, week out.”
While the debate among NSW fans has focused on whether Roosters skipper James Tedesco or Penrith’s Dylan Edwards will be the No. 1, Walsh’s return, along with that of fellow Maroon Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) on Sunday, has coach Billy Slater rubbing his hands together. Queensland incumbent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has also been in strong form for the Dolphins.
“Reece has got the ability to get people out of their seats and get excited about the game,” Slater said of Walsh.
“It’s always exciting watching him because he can do things that are hard to do on the footy field, but they happen to be the easy things for him.
“I’ve got no doubts he will be going out there not thinking about entertaining the crowd, but performing the best he can for his footy team.
“The standard he got to at the end of last year was incredible, and that’s hard to replicate all the time.
“Look at last year’s finals series, and if he doesn’t have the defensive mindset he did in the grand final, the Broncos probably don’t have that trophy sitting in their cabinet.
“But he’s been working hard on areas of his game that are probably not highlighted all the time.
“I’ve known Reece since he debuted in the NRL. I’ve been a part of his inner sanctum ever since then. I know how hard he works. He’s got a great inner drive to improve himself and compete.
“There’s nobody more excited than me to watch Reece and Kalyn Ponga return this weekend.”
Ponga is one of several Knights to return for the sold-out clash at home to an in-form South Sydney. The re-signed skipper was excellent in round one, then hobbled off midway through the first half in round two against Manly.
Slater was quick to point out a passage of play Ponga was involved in against the Sea Eagles that proved to him he was in excellent touch.
“He scored a try, but if you go back to the moment before that, he was in the corner and cops a heavy whack, then he gets to his feet, and he’s the guy putting on the play on the other side of the field,” Slater said.
“Kalyn looks like he’s in a really good space, he’s re-signed, he’s settled, and in that sweet spot of his career. He knows who he is and what he wants out of his career.”
