Why Walsh was not released by the Warriors for the Melbourne storm
Following reports that Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma will be loaned to Melbourne for the rest of the season, it appears that the Storm’s weeks-long search may be over.
Warriors CEO Cameron George has now commented on Melbourne’s persistent pursuit of Reece Walsh, their initial target to replace Ryan Papenhuyzen in the No.1 jersey. The Storm believed that since the Warriors were out of the finals race and Walsh was leaving at the end of the season, the club might allow him to leave early. However, George stated that the Warriors repeatedly rejected Melbourne’s advances.
“I’ve been approached by Melbourne, and I had no interest whatsoever in ‘fire selling’ a player just because of our position on the ladder,” George told stuff.co.nz. “It’s important to remember Reece was committed to our club. The only reason that changed was due to significant personal grounds, specifically his desire to be with his daughter all the time.”
Family was the primary motivator for Walsh’s move. Without the change in his personal circumstances, George believes Walsh might have stayed with the Warriors to take up a contract option for 2024.
“That’s the only reason he is leaving. It never crossed my mind to let him go to another club now,” said George. “It’s not right for our fans and sponsors because we still want to win every game we can, and he’ll play a part in that. It’s been an absolute no from the word go. I’ve told the Storm that. I keep reading that the Storm want Walsh, but it’s not changing.”
“We don’t want to see him move to another state and live there. It contradicts the reason we’re letting him go in the first place. While I feel for Melbourne, injuries happen to every club at some stage, and it’s not in the best interests of this club to let Reece go. That’s what matters most to me, so that’s it.”
Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson agreed with George that he didn’t want Walsh to leave, but didn’t find Melbourne’s persistent interest disrespectful. “(The pursuit) is smart. They want to win a comp and they want the best players to do that,” Johnson said. “He’s a player a lot of clubs would love to have out the back. He’s made the decision to head home next season for family reasons, so I can’t see why he’d head to Melbourne for the rest of the year.”