The Brisbane Broncos are reportedly hopeful of finalising a new deal for Reece Walsh before the end of the NRL season, with the young fullback on the cusp of a $6 million contract. Walsh has stated he has no desire to leave the Broncos, but the 21-year-old and the club have been in negotiations for more than six months for a contract extension.

The drawn-out process has raised plenty of eyebrows across the NRL world, with many wondering why he hasn’t re-signed yet. In March, Walsh made the bizarre move of denying reports he’d agreed to stay at the club, throwing even more confusion into the situation.

But in May he eased the concerns of Broncos fans and revealed he’s keen to stay. The 21-year-old will become a free agent as of November 1 and will be able to test the open market, but the Broncos are hopeful it doesn’t reach that stage.

A new report from Travis Meyn of the Courier Mail states the Broncos are keen to have Walsh locked up by the end of the NRL season, which would be a huge boost for fans of the club. Meyn reported the Broncos are “hoping to announce a new multi-year deal worth in excess of $1 million-a-season before the end of this year’s premiership.”

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy told the publication Walsh was a key part of the club’s future and their prospects of success. “We see Reece being part of this club for a long time to come and we want to look after him,” he said.

“I have no doubt he will continue to get better and more experienced at handling challenges on and off the field as he gets older. A lot of those challenges will be unique to Reece Walsh. He is a fine young man and I’m looking forward to having him part of the Broncos for a long time to come.”

Reece Walsh extension might see Broncos teammates take pay cut

When asked in May if he sees himself as being a Bronco for life, Walsh responded: “Absolutely. One hundred per cent. The Broncos are a massive part of me being here (in State of Origin) and I love the club. I want to be here for a long time and all that (contract) stuff will get sorted. I love the club and I love the people involved at the club and what they stand for. They have amazing values … and we’ve got some decent (players) too and that plays a factor.”

Walsh started his career in Brisbane but signed with the New Zealand Warriors in 2021. He returned to the Broncos in 2023 and coach Kevin Walters has vowed never to let him leave the club again. But a $6 million extension might mean some high-profile teammates have to take a pay cut if they want to stay.

“They are both going to demand a lot of money, but what we need to do is find a compromise with both those players where they are staying here and playing in a great side and a great club, and taking a little bit less money possibly, but staying here and being successful. Kotoni is a Bronco to the bone and so is Selwyn. That’s the target, to keep both. That’s what I want to do as the coach. It is going to be difficult, but rugby league is difficult. We’ve got to find a way.”