The Warriors have enlisted the help of an NRL icon to assist with Reece Walsh's ongoing rehabilitation, after his arrest for possession of cocaine last Sunday.
The club approached former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Origin star Gorden Tallis to be an official mentor for the 19-year-old, and the league legendhas agreed to take on the role.
It's one of the first steps to ensure Walsh finds a positive way forward, and another layer of support to help him deal with the pressures around the sport, after his swift rise to fame.
"Gordie was tremendous with his willingness to help," Warriors chief executive Cameron George told the Herald. "Nathan [Brown] and I had discussed a mentor for Reece moving forward.
"While none of us agree with what Reece did, we need to look at new ways of making sure he has the right support around him. He is a kid that has got the world at his feet, but he has got to rebuild that foundation."
Warriors young star Reece Walsh. Photo / Photosport
George said Tallis fit the bill perfectly.
"Gordie is an icon of the game who has very strong values around drug use in the sport," said George. "He absolutely hates it. He's very honest, transparent and frank and he is a good friend of the club, as he played with Nathan and I've got to know him a bit."
George got in touch with Tallis, who lives in Brisbane, late last week.
"I said I am looking for a mentor and you would be the perfect bloke," said George. "I couldn't even get it out before he said, 'mate I would love to'.
"He said, 'you tell me what I have to do, I will be there, because that kid could be anything and I want to make sure he stays on track to be something'.
"It should be good for Reece. He'll get some valuable guidance; not from the coach, not from anyone at the club, but from a bloke who is a rugby league legend."
Born in Townsville, Tallis made his debut for St George in 1992. After three seasons he switched to the Broncos, where he won three premierships (Super League in 1997, 1998 and 2000) across eight years.
He was a destructive force – nicknamed 'Raging Bull' – and from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s regarded as the best back rower in the world, with 66 tries across 214 NRL games.
Gorden Tallis at the NRL Hall of Fame in 2018. Photo / Getty
Tallis captained the Kangaroos during an 18-test international career but earned his greatest accolades in State of Origin.
Tallis represented Queensland on 20 occasions and was at the centre of many memorable moments, from being sent off by referee Bill Harrigan to his 'rag doll' tackle on Brett Hodgson.
Tallis has been outspoken about the use of recreational drugs, and admitted he lost friends when he made a formal complaint to league powerbrokers about the use of drugs in the Kangaroos camp during the 2000 Rugby League World Cup in England.
Walsh has a court appearance on October 18, charged with one count of possession of a prohibited substance.
Ahead of that, the club expect a verdict from the NRL integrity unit from their investigation. The 19-year-old could face a suspension, a fine or a combination of both.
The club will then decide if any further sanctions are necessary, and what ongoing measures need to be put in place, if any, to monitor Walsh's off-field behaviour.
"Reece is an adult – and he demonstrated that during the week by owning what he did – but we will have a conclusion of our position once we understand the NRL's position," said George.
"We feel we have done what we needed to do; done everything swiftly and promptly and in terms of sanctions, that is obviously forthcoming and what the club does beyond that, we will wait and see.
"We are looking at any number of scenarios, in the best interests of the club moving forward, Reece and all of our players."
George added that "a couple" of nine marooned club staff had secured MIQ spots, but the majority have abandoned hopes of returning to New Zealand, with pre-season set to begin on November 1.
"Some are going home and staying home but others have decided it's too late to go home," said George. "Being here is the safest option in terms of getting back to work."
