Walsh’s Keebra secrets
THERE is one major factor driving Reece Walsh’s belief that Keebra Park can return to the pointy end of the NRL Schoolboy Cup this season.
The Southport-based league nursery were Queensland champions in 2016 and national champions a year later but crashed out of contention in 2018.
They’ve made a positive start to their new campaign, winning their first two games of the lead-in Allan Langer Cup before being brought back to earth in a 26-12 loss to Wavell State High last week.
“The difference this year from last year is everyone is working hard and everyone is competing,” fullback Walsh said ahead of his side’s Round 4 meeting with Marsden tonight, which will be live-streamed on the Bulletin website.
“We don’t have the biggest pack but all of our forwards are always working hard and everyone at training is always competing.
“If they’re in the Bs, they’re trying to push for that spot in the As – the competitiveness is just way better this year.”
Walsh – described by Marsden league director Matthew Hartigan as “one of the best players in the competition, if not the best” – missed the team’s loss to Wavell as he was preparing to tackle the under-18 State of Origin arena.
So highly is the star fullback thought of that room was made for him in the junior Maroons squad despite him only being 16 and needing to be played at lock off the bench.
“You don’t understand how hard it is until you play the position. Making tackle after tackle and then you have also got to take those tough carries, it’s pretty hard,” said Walsh, delighted after scoring a try in the 34-12 win over NSW.
Marsden will be his second game this year for Keebra, a week out from their grudge match against Palm Beach Currumbin.
PBC are also coming off a shock loss, falling 26-6 to Ipswich State High last start.
Last year’s national winners PBC host Wavell tonight.