Reece Walsh was joyfully reunited with his former partner Freda Puru in touching moments with their daughter following his pivotal role in the Broncos’ stunning victory in the NRL grand final.
Just after the fullback received the Clive Churchill Medal for his standout performance, the ex-couple was seen embracing their daughter Leila in a photo shared by Puru on her Instagram.
The Daily Mail had exclusively reported their separation in May 2023, disclosing that Walsh had unfollowed her on social media and removed all their photos together.
She still doesn’t feature on his Instagram, but she and Walsh were all smiles after he triumphed in the biggest match of his life.
Right before the grand final kicked off, Walsh’s father, Rodney, shared his experience of how Reece revealed the news that he and Puru were expecting a child when he was only 18.
Pictured: The moment Reece Walsh reunited with his ex Freda Puru as they shared a heartwarming moment with their daughter Leila
Puru and Walsh (pictured together with Leila) had their split revealed exclusively by the Daily Mail in May 2023
Walsh had a touching moment on the field with his daughter after he brought her up onto the stage while he received his premiership ring
Rodney, who also recounted the challenges the NRL star overcame due to his mother’s struggles with drug addiction, remembered how anxious Reece was when he made the announcement.
‘He was a bit worried to tell us he was having a kid,’ Rodney told News Corp.
‘The way I reacted, I was calm.
‘He said, “Far out, Dad, I thought you would be way worse than that.”
‘But I had kids when I was young, too, there’s not a lot you can do about it.
‘But once it’s done, it’s done, you just move on and give her the best life we can.’
Reece Walsh is well-known for doting on Leila, who is a regular at his games and Broncos training sessions.
Walsh brought Leila up on stage with him as he accepted his premiership ring after the thrilling 26-22 triumph over the Broncos on Sunday night. He then gently placed the diamond-studded ring on her index finger as they sat surrounded by confetti, absorbing the jubilant atmosphere together.
Walsh turned in what many good judges believe to be the greatest individual performance in grand final history
The 23-year-old was given a toilet by a Broncos fan after the win over the Storm in a nod to a controversial video that surfaced in early September
After the match, Walsh said his desire to be tough for his Brisbane ‘brothers’ helped inspire one of the greatest grand final performances in the game’s history.
While Walsh spent his time drinking out of toilet bowl-shaped cups and live-streaming Brisbane’s festivities, critics were weighing up where his extraordinary performance ranked among the great grand final efforts by an individual.
Nathan Cleary’s famous 2023 performance to sink the Broncos is widely regarded as the finest Clive Churchill Medal effort, with Walsh on the losing end that time.
Luke Priddis’ masterclass in 2003, Cooper Cronk’s showing in 2012 and Billy Slater’s blitz in 2017 regularly rank among the other top ones.
But while recency bias can be a factor, the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Phil Gould have all ranked Walsh’s effort on Sunday night as No.1.
Always known as an electric attacking player, Walsh’s epic 30-metre try when he beat five men was an instant grand final classic in the first half.
He also set up three tries, but it was the three try-saving plays he made in the second half that ultimately proved just as vital.
‘I am not known for the tough stuff but I did all of that for them tonight,’ Walsh said.
‘They are my brothers. I play for them and I will do anything for them. I have so much respect for all of them and I will do whatever it takes.
‘I am blessed to be part of the team.
‘As a four-year-old kid all I wanted to do was play for the club.
‘When I think about all the greats, I feel honoured.
‘I feel like this is a bit of redemption for the 2015 and 2023 teams and for every single person that lives and bleeds for this club. We did it for them.
‘It’s been 19 years and we’ve just etched our names in history.’
