RNZ, Gold Coast, September 26, 2021
Young Warriors star Reece Walsh is facing drug charges after being arrested in possession of cocaine on the Gold Coast on September 25, 2021.
A tearful Walsh fronted a media Zoom conference on the following day from Queensland with Warriors Chief Executive Cameron George and Manager Nash Dawson.
Arrest and charge
The 19-year-old fullback confirmed that he was arrested following an incident in Surfers Paradise early on the morning of September 26, after he refused Police requests to move on.
“That led to me getting arrested and taken back to the police station. Once I got back to the police station, I was searched and I was in possession of a small bag of cocaine, of which I had had some during the night. No one else is involved in this. It is solely on me and I am putting my hand up. I should never have done it, and it is a mistake that I have made. I am aware of that and I am really remorseful,” Walsh said.
He will attend court in mid-October to face one count of possession of a prohibited substance.
He said that he wanted to apologise to sponsors, fans and the Warriors Club.
Walsh had been a shining light for the Club in an otherwise disappointing season and was in line for the NRL Rookie of the Year prize at the Dally M Awards on Monday, September 27, 2021 in Brisbane but will not be attending.
Warriors extend support
George said that the Warriors will support Walsh, who starts Drug and Alcohol Counselling tomorrow.
“He has our support wrapped around him; this would hurt him. He is learning; he has been exposed to a very big arena that carries a lot of pressure and responsibility. However, none of that is an excuse,” he said.
George said that the Club will work with the NRL integrity unit around sanctions but would not go into any detail until after Walsh’s court appearance.
“Reece wanted to put his hand up and own up the situation, and we as a club support that approach. The Warriors are confident that this is a one-off and Walsh had no ongoing problems with drugs or alcohol. It was a stupid decision made by an inexperienced person.”
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