Brisbane Broncos sensation Reece Walsh has captured the rugby league world’s attention with his standout performance in the NRL Grand Final, and now the man behind his mental resilience has offered insight into what makes the young fullback tick. High-profile sports psychologist Jacqui Louder has shared personal details about Walsh, describing him as a relentless competitor with an insatiable drive to improve.
Walsh’s dazzling display helped the Broncos secure a stunning 26-22 victory over the Melbourne Storm on Sunday, ending Brisbane’s premiership drought since 2006. For Louder, the results on the field are a reflection of the work they’ve put in off it.
“That’s exciting and scary … He wants more. I know that,” Louder said, underlining Walsh’s ambition and hunger to keep pushing forward.
Louder, who also works with AFL powerhouse Collingwood and has previously collaborated with the Storm, noted that Walsh’s drive mirrors her own approach to professional growth. She likened his enthusiasm and energy to that of a “puppy dog,” always eager to chase the next challenge.
“He loves getting better – that’s his trigger. If you can help him get better, both as a person and a player, he just wants more. Then it’s ‘What’s the next step? And the next step?’,” Louder told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I’m driven exactly the same way … He’s like, ‘What do we do now? What can we do today?’ He’s like a puppy dog that wants to go and run. Every conversation is such a great, genuine conversation.”
Walsh’s incredible performance in the Grand Final earned him the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground, a success Louder attributes to the consistent psychological support and development strategies they have worked on throughout the season. “It’s the end result of everything we’ve done this year,” she explained.
Despite his extraordinary talent, Walsh is still learning how to pace himself and balance his emotions on the field, Louder said. She described him as a “generational” talent whose mental game will continue to evolve as he gains more experience at the elite level.
Legendary rugby league player Darren Lockyer hailed Walsh’s Grand Final performance as one of the most dominant individual displays he has ever seen. After Brisbane overcame a 22-12 halftime deficit to stun Melbourne, Lockyer emphasized both Walsh’s skill and his team-first mentality.
“I’ve never seen an individual dominate a grand final like that,” Lockyer told AAP.
“Nathan Cleary did it a couple years ago, but that’s one of the best individual performances. We talk about his speed and flashiness, but (it was also his) toughness, especially. He’s such a team-focused person. He does all this stuff to help the team win.”
Walsh’s dominance throughout the finals series was a testament to his consistency under pressure. He previously turned the tide for Brisbane against both the Canberra Raiders and the Penrith Panthers.
In the dramatic clash with Canberra, Walsh returned from the sin bin after a head-butting incident involving Hudson Young and orchestrated a comeback, scoring or assisting in three tries to force extra time after the Broncos trailed by 16 points in the second half. That high-pressure performance required not just physical skill, but mental composure — a factor Walsh attributes to his work with Louder.
“Jacqui is someone I speak to on a regular week-to-week basis and I had a really good conversation with her after that Canberra game,” Walsh said.
“Obviously they were trying to niggle me and get in my head. I probably took the bait there a little bit and I was lucky enough we came away with the win. She helps with the mental side and tips me on where I can be better in those moments. I am really grateful for what she does. I have got a strong support network. My circle is pretty small and the people I do go to for advice are high in my heart. I’d be silly not to take their advice. I’m not the smartest tool in the shed so I need all the help I can get.”
Walsh then carried the lessons learned from that encounter into Brisbane’s clash with Penrith, using the guidance from Louder to maintain focus and composure under immense finals pressure.
“She clears my mind and she helps a lot with my mindset,” Walsh said, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation in complementing his physical talents.
Louder’s insights shed light not only on Walsh’s extraordinary abilities but also on the often-overlooked psychological component that contributes to elite performance in rugby league. As Walsh continues to develop, the combination of talent, mental toughness, and the right support network will likely ensure that Brisbane’s premiership hero is just getting started.
With the Broncos’ championship celebrations still fresh, Walsh’s story highlights a crucial element in modern sport: the mental game can be just as pivotal as physical skill. Louder’s description of Walsh as a “puppy dog” in relentless pursuit of improvement encapsulates the energy, passion, and hunger that propelled him to one of the greatest Grand Final performances in NRL history.
As the NRL heads into the off-season, all eyes will remain on Walsh, not just for his on-field exploits but also for how his mental fortitude continues to evolve under the guidance of a sports psychologist who understands the intricate interplay between mindset and athletic excellence. The Broncos’ premiership triumph may be a milestone, but for Walsh, it seems only the beginning.
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